Clause 136 - Time-limits for investigations and reports: part 4

Part of Enterprise Bill – in a Public Bill Committee am 11:30 am ar 7 Mai 2002.

Danfonwch hysbysiad imi am ddadleuon fel hyn

Photo of Nigel Waterson Nigel Waterson Ceidwadwyr, Eastbourne 11:30, 7 Mai 2002

I rise briefly to probe the Under-Secretary on a couple of matters with regard to this Clause. The first echoes the previous debate about the two-year limit. My hon. Friends the Members for Huntingdon and for Cities of London and Westminster have made all the important points about that, and about the real problem that is caused to businesses by such uncertainty hanging over them for up to two years. It appears that that issue does not cut any ice with the Under-Secretary or her hon. Friends, but it remains a concern. At least there is a suggestion of movement in the clause.

Under subsection (2), the Secretary of State has the power to

"alter the period of two years".

Clause

A parliamentary bill is divided into sections called clauses.

Printed in the margin next to each clause is a brief explanatory `side-note' giving details of what the effect of the clause will be.

During the committee stage of a bill, MPs examine these clauses in detail and may introduce new clauses of their own or table amendments to the existing clauses.

When a bill becomes an Act of Parliament, clauses become known as sections.

Secretary of State

Secretary of State was originally the title given to the two officials who conducted the Royal Correspondence under Elizabeth I. Now it is the title held by some of the more important Government Ministers, for example the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.

clause

A parliamentary bill is divided into sections called clauses.

Printed in the margin next to each clause is a brief explanatory `side-note' giving details of what the effect of the clause will be.

During the committee stage of a bill, MPs examine these clauses in detail and may introduce new clauses of their own or table amendments to the existing clauses.

When a bill becomes an Act of Parliament, clauses become known as sections.