Before you conclude the proceedings, Mr. Benton, I would like to say a word of thanks both to yourself for your distinguished chairmanship of the Committee's deliberations and to your colleague, Sir John, who has done great service to all of us through the work that he has done. I should also like to pay tribute to the work of my hon. Friend the Member for Lewisham, East (Ms Prentice) and the usual channels in servicing the work of the Committee.

On a personal note, I pay tribute to my officials, who have worked hard to ensure that we have, hopefully, been in a position to provide answers to hon. Members. I reserve my final note of thanks for fellow members of the Committee. Notwithstanding some of the less temperate words expressed this afternoon, we have made significant progress in a supportive environment for Ministers offering explanations that Committee members have sought.

My earlier point was a serious one: the Committee might have been more exciting, but it would have been less advantageous, had we not anticipated, between the production of the draft Bill last July and the publication of the Bill we have debated today, many of the points to be raised. The pre-legislative scrutiny process, combined with the Committee proceedings, has progressed the Government's thinking, notwithstanding some of the comments that we have heard, and I am genuinely grateful for the contribution of members from all parties in the Committee for their endeavours in that regard.