[Mr. Bill O'Brien in the Chair]

On a point of order, Mr. O'Brien. I seek your guidance because, at the start of our proceedings on Tuesday, your colleague, Mr. McWilliam, advised us that it was customary to seek the Chair's permission to remove jackets. I have served on previous Standing Committees in which matters were different and I wondered whether, before even thinking about removing our jackets, we should ask your permission. So that I do not transgress, unlike my Liberal Democrat colleague, the hon. Member for Lewes (Norman Baker)--I do not want to cause him any embarrassment at the start of our proceedings--would it be in order for us to remove our jackets this morning? I should be grateful for your guidance.

It is customary to seek the leave of the Chair and I have no objection if any hon. Members want to remove their jackets during our proceedings.

I am sure that I speak for the whole Committee in saying that we are grateful.

Further to that point of order, Mr. O'Brien. As I do not like to waste time, will you tell us whether that permission covers only this sitting while you are chairing it, or all the sittings that you chair?

I cannot speak for my colleagues who may be in the Chair, but while I am in the Chair this morning, hon. Members are free to remove their jackets. It is for my colleagues to make their decision when they are in the Chair. Clause 6 Making of order