Member

I have added my name to Amendment 66, moved by the noble Earl, Lord Russell. The noble Earl complained in his speech on the first group about degrouping and Second Reading-type speeches. I will not accuse the noble Earl of making a Second Reading-type speech if he does not accuse me of the same. The amendment would require the Secretary of State to make an Oral Statement to Parliament before delivering any directions to GBE. I cannot see any reason why the Minister would not accept an amendment that would do so much to improve scrutiny and accountability, particularly when there is so little detail in the Bill.