[Philip Davies in the Chair]

Before we begin, I have a few preliminary points to make. Please switch electronic devices to silent. Tea and coffee are not allowed during sittings. We will first consider the programme motion on the amendment paper. We will then consider a motion to enable the reporting of written evidence for publication and a motion to allow us to deliberate in private about our questions before the oral evidence sessions. In view of the limited time available, I hope we can take those matters without too much debate or delay.

I first call the Minister to move the programme motion, which was decided by the Programming Sub-Committee yesterday.

Motion made, and Question proposed,

That—

(1) the Committee shall (in addition to its first meeting at 9.25 am on Tuesday 23 January) meet—

(a) at 2.00 pm on Tuesday 23 January;

(b) at 11.30 am and 2.00 pm on Thursday 25 January;

(c) at 9.25 am, 2.00 pm and 5.30 pm on Tuesday 30 January;

(d) at 11.30 am on Thursday 1 February.

(2) the Committee shall hear oral evidence in accordance with the following Table:

Table

Date

Time

Witness

Tuesday 23 January

Until no later than

10.25 am

Global Justice Now; Computer and Communications Industry Association; Christopher Howarth, former Senior Political Analyst, Open Europe

Tuesday 23 January

Until no later than

11.25 am

CBI; International Chambers of Commerce UK; Unite the Union; FSB

Tuesday 23 January

Until no later than

2.45 pm

Dr Lorands Bartels, University of Cambridge; Dr Roiger Hestermeyer, King’s College London; Hansard Society Jude Kirton Darling MEP

Tuesday 23 January

Until no later than

3.30 pm

George Peretz QC, Monckton Chambers; Professor Alan Winters, UK Trade Policy Observatory; Law Society Scotland

Tuesday 23 January

Until no later than

4.15 pm

British Ceramic Confederation; UK Steel Manufacturing Trade Remedies Alliance; British Chambers of Commerce

Tuesday 23 January

Until no later than

5.00 pm

UK Finance; British Retail Consortium Standard Chartered Bank

Thursday 25 January

Until no later than

12.00 pm

Devro plc; Scotch Whisky Association Food Standards Scotland

Thursday 25 January

Until no later than

1.00 pm

Business for Scotland; British Furniture Association Hologic

(3) proceedings on consideration of the Bill in Committee shall be taken in the following order: Clauses 1 to 3; Schedules 1 to 3; Clauses 4 and 5; Schedule 4; Clauses 6 to 12; new Clauses; new Schedules; remaining proceedings on the Bill;

(4) the proceedings shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion at 2.00 pm on Thursday 1 February.

Manuscript amendment made: In the table on page 2 of the amendment paper, in the first entry for Tuesday 23 January, leave out

“Computer and Communications Industry Association”

and insert

“Nick Ashton-Hart, Trade Policy Consultant and Associate Fellow, Geneva Centre for Security Policy”.—(Greg Hands.)

Main Question, as amended, put and agreed to.

Ordered,

That—

(1) the Committee shall (in addition to its first meeting at 9.25 am on Tuesday 23 January) meet—

(a) at 2.00 pm on Tuesday 23 January;

(b) at 11.30 am and 2.00 pm on Thursday 25 January;

(c) at 9.25 am, 2.00 pm and 5.30 pm on Tuesday 30 January;

(d) at 11.30 am on Thursday 1 February.

(2) the Committee shall hear oral evidence in accordance with the following Table:

Table

Date

Time

Witness

Tuesday 23 January

Until no later than

10.25 am

Global Justice Now; Nick Ashton-Hart, Trade Policy Consultant and Associate Fellow, Geneva Centre for Security Policy; Christopher Howarth, former Senior Political Analyst, Open Europe

Tuesday 23 January

Until no later than

11.25 am

CBI; International Chambers of Commerce UK; Unite the Union; FSB

Tuesday 23 January

Until no later than

2.45 pm

Dr Lorands Bartels, University of Cambridge; Dr Roiger Hestermeyer, King’s College London; Hansard Society Jude Kirton Darling MEP

Tuesday 23 January

Until no later than

3.30 pm

George Peretz QC, Monckton Chambers; Professor Alan Winters, UK Trade Policy Observatory; Law Society Scotland

Tuesday 23 January

Until no later than

4.15 pm

British Ceramic Confederation; UK Steel Manufacturing Trade Remedies Alliance; British Chambers of Commerce

Tuesday 23 January

Until no later than

5.00 pm

UK Finance; British Retail Consortium Standard Chartered Bank

Thursday 25 January

Until no later than

12.00 pm

Devro plc; Scotch Whisky Association Food Standards Scotland

Thursday 25 January

Until no later than

1.00 pm

Business for Scotland; British Furniture Association Hologic

(3) proceedings on consideration of the Bill in Committee shall be taken in the following order: Clauses 1 to 3; Schedules 1 to 3; Clauses 4 and 5; Schedule 4; Clauses 6 to 12; new Clauses; new Schedules; remaining proceedings on the Bill;

(4) the proceedings shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion at 2.00 pm on Thursday 1 February.

Resolved,

That, subject to the discretion of the Chair, any written evidence received by the Committee shall be reported to the House for publication.—(Greg Hands.)

Copies of written evidence that the Committee receives will be made available in the Committee Room.

Resolved,

That, at this and any subsequent meeting at which oral evidence is to be heard, the Committee shall sit in private until the witnesses are admitted.—(Greg Hands.)

The Committee deliberated in private.