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Fixed-term Parliaments Bill

The hon. Gentleman corrects me by saying that it is proper scrutiny. The Committee stated:"““Whilst acknowledging the case made by the Deputy Prime Minister for a five year term””—" it is so nice when the authors of such reports use expressions like ““whilst acknowledging the case”” and ““with respect to””—[Interruption.] My hon. Friend the Member for Aldridge-Brownhills (Mr Shepherd) knows what is in my mind. The Committee continued:"““nonetheless the majority of the Committee consider that a four year term should be adopted for any fixed-term Parliamentary arrangement at Westminster. In the view of the majority, the shift from a five year maximum to a five year norm would be inconsistent with the Government's stated aim of making the legislature more accountable, inconsistent with existing constitutional practice and inconsistent with the practice of the devolved institutions and the clear majority of international legislatures.””" That is quite a condemnation.