Mr. John Brown accordingly presented a Bill to provide that, in an action for liability in tort in a case involving the armed forces, a plaintiff need not in all cases show negligence on the part of the Crown: And the same was read the First time; and ordered to be read a Second time upon Friday 17 January 1992, and to be printed. [Bill 45.]

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker.

Is it about the Bill presented by the hon. Member for Winchester (Mr. Browne)?

Yes, Mr. Speaker. I have raised this matter before on a number of occasions, as you may be aware—for instance, in Adjournment debates and during Question Time. One of the people mentioned by the hon. Member for Winchester (Mr. Browne) is a constituent of mine.

I am very pleased that the Government finally relented and that an agreement was reached. There are no differences between Conservative and Opposition Back Benchers on this important issue. I note, however, that, although an Opposition spokesman on defence is present, no defence Ministers are. That is very unfortunate. Do not Ministers consider the issue to be important?

I am sure that what the hon. Gentleman has said will have been heard by the Ministers who are present.