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HANSARDParliamentary Constituencies Bill (Sixth sitting)Here we go on the discussion of the franchise, which is a very large discussion, and I think, Sir David, you would rightly suggest we stay off it and remain within the matter in…25 Jun 2020HANSARDParliamentary Constituencies Bill (Sixth sitting)I am sorry to add to possible confusion, but before the hon. Member sits down, is he referring to amendments 6 and 7 or to amendment 1?25 Jun 2020HANSARDParliamentary Constituencies Bill (Sixth sitting)We have now tapped into one of the very rich seams of community interest and detail in and around the Bill. I will make some general comments about what clause 6 does in order to…25 Jun 2020HANSARDParliamentary Constituencies Bill (Sixth sitting)I am grateful to my right hon. Friend, because she allows me to move on to the matters in clause 2. They are very important, and she presages what I am going to say. Clause 2…25 Jun 2020HANSARDParliamentary Constituencies Bill (Sixth sitting)The hon. Gentleman—my friend, if I may return his compliments of this morning—has it exactly right. I thank him for aiding the Committee’s understanding on that point. I could…25 Jun 2020HANSARDParliamentary Constituencies Bill (Sixth sitting)I have huge respect for the right hon. Gentleman; it is a credit to the Committee that we have no fewer than two former Secretaries of State on it. I am afraid that in this case,…25 Jun 2020HANSARDParliamentary Constituencies Bill (Sixth sitting)And in that will reside the views of the majority of Members of the House of Commons, who know what the right argument here is in this case, which is to deliver equal and updated…25 Jun 2020HANSARDParliamentary Constituencies Bill (Sixth sitting)I will say two things to that. First, we should be focusing on what we now need to do. Secondly, I am pleased to be here proposing a better way forward that demonstrates that we…25 Jun 2020HANSARDParliamentary Constituencies Bill (Sixth sitting)I shall be as brief as I can. Clause 3 inserts new section 4A into the Parliamentary Constituencies Act 1986. New section 4A sets out the circumstances in which the…25 Jun 2020HANSARDParliamentary Constituencies Bill (Sixth sitting)I will address both clause 4 and the amendment in one breath. As currently drafted, the rules governing the boundary reviews provide that there should be between two and five…25 Jun 2020HANSARDParliamentary Constituencies Bill (Sixth sitting)I understand the point that the hon. Gentleman makes. As the witness from the Boundary Commission for Scotland said, there ought to be more hearings. That is a fair…25 Jun 2020HANSARDParliamentary Constituencies Bill (Sixth sitting)Is it not a pleasure that we can do our work without the bells being quite so loud as they were earlier? I will keep my remarks on clause 5 extremely short because the clause is…25 Jun 2020HANSARDParliamentary Constituencies Bill (Sixth sitting)That is very important indeed. I am confident that all four of the boundary commissions have been listening closely to the proceedings of the Committee since our evidence…25 Jun 2020HANSARDParliamentary Constituencies bill (Third sitting)Q Thank you very much indeed, Sir David. Could we have anything better than more time with Professor Maclean and Professor Sir John? This really is a treat—thank you both very…23 Jun 2020HANSARDParliamentary Constituencies bill (Third sitting)Q 135 Professor Hazell and Dr Renwick, thank you very much for joining us. You very kindly supplied some written evidence, and I am sure we have all had a chance to look at your…23 Jun 2020HANSARDParliamentary Constituencies bill (Third sitting)Q Mr Williams, thank you for joining us this morning. I thank all the political parties that have given some technical engagement with the Bill in its development. Please set out…23 Jun 2020HANSARDParliamentary Constituencies bill (Fourth sitting)Q Thank you very much. You concluded with an argument in favour of regular reviews and, I suppose, getting on with it. As you pointed out, the age of the data that currently holds…23 Jun 2020HANSARDParliamentary Constituencies bill (Fourth sitting)Q 182 Peter, thank you so much for joining us this afternoon. It is excellent for the Committee to have the benefit of your expertise. I wonder if I might start with two…23 Jun 2020HANSARDParliamentary Constituencies bill (Fourth sitting)Q Thank you. It is very helpful to have the breadth of that on record. Drilling down into what it means to talk about prospective boundaries from the local government side, please…23 Jun 2020HANSARDParliamentary Constituencies bill (Third sitting)Q Thank you very much indeed, Professor McLean. I do not mean to take the role of the Clerk, but I think that I can say that, if it helps, you can take a copy of the Bill and the…23 Jun 2020