Interpretation

Amendment made: 293, in clause 166, page 122, line 16, leave out ‘except in sections 161 to 164’ and insert

‘in sections 155 and 158 to 160’.—(The Solicitor-General.)

This amendment prevents clauses 154 and 156 from applying as regards taxis in Scotland; in relation to clause 157, the amendment is consequent on amendment 286.

Question proposed, That the clause, as amended, stand part of the Bill.

I think that it would bore the Committee to tears to go into the detail of an interpretation clause. However, I would like the Solicitor-General’s assurance that the list of categories of assistance dog is sufficiently comprehensive. It begins with specific types and goes on to mention prescribed charities. I think that that will cover all types.

I have a constituency interest because a marvellous charity called Dogs for the Disabled, which does excellent work, is located at the edge of my constituency, near to Banbury in the neighbouring constituency. That charity provides dogs for people with wider disabilities than the conventional disabilities of deafness or blindness. Will the Solicitor-General assure me that she will nudge her colleagues in the relevant Department to ensure that the definition is sufficiently comprehensive, as I believe it is, so that any dog that is trained to help a person will be admitted?

The category of assistance dog is widening all the time. The hon. Gentleman has put his finger on an important point, but the clause allows the Secretary of State to provide for further categories of assistance dog as it becomes necessary.

Question put and agreed to.

Clause 166, as amended, accordingly ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Clauses 167 to 174 ordered to stand part of the Bill.