Mr. Hilary Benn:

On behalf of the representatives I thank the Chairman and his colleagues for inviting us to give evidence. The timing of the committee is impeccable although the story is not over yet. I have with me today four other colleagues from the committee. They are Nigel Mills, who is the Conservative MP for Amber Valley and who is the vice chair of the committee, Sally-Ann Hart, the Conservative member of Parliament for Hastings and Rye, Dr. Philippa Whitford, the SNP Member of Parliament for Central Ayrshire, and my Labour Party colleague, Stephen Kinnock, who is the Member of Parliament for Aberavon. We are awaiting the questions of the committee with anticipation and interest and looking forward to today's session.