Dan Boyle (Green Party)

While I prefer to believe a recommendation of this type would solve the difficulty that arises, I defer to the opinion that if 150 amendments are needed in a finance (No. 2) Bill to make the situation legally watertight, then it seems to be the more preferable option. I hope all political parties commit to passing such a Bill before the start of April. The delay seems to have arisen not so much in the shortage of time allowed for this Bill or the end of this Government but the passage of the original Bill. It is a matter of great regret for me and my party that legislation which we sponsored and encouraged seemed to be subject to greater scrutiny within Government. The provision of parliamentary time was an issue as was the way in which that legislation was debated in the House. Had different treatment been given to the original legislation the necessary provisions would have been included in the Finance Bill.