I welcome the Minister to our debate on the thorny issue of devolution, which contributed greatly both to the number of Government amendments that have been tabled and the delay that prevented hon. Members from seeing them before our debate. It is only right to probe the issue a little...

I welcome the Minister to our debate on the thorny issue of devolution, which contributed greatly both to the number of Government amendments that have been tabled and the delay that prevented hon. Members from seeing them before our debate. It is only right to probe the issue a little...

Has the Minister sought assurances from Ministers in the Scottish Parliament that there will be not just close but direct alignment, and that the same provision will be in Scottish law?

Has the Minister sought assurances from Ministers in the Scottish Parliament that there will be not just close but direct alignment, and that the same provision will be in Scottish law?

Will the Minister give the House an assurance that if problems arise with either the online database or any other part of the IT system that is integral to the good operation of the Bill he will be open about them, as such matters are of concern to everyone who...

Will the Minister give the House an assurance that if problems arise with either the online database or any other part of the IT system that is integral to the good operation of the Bill he will be open about them, as such matters are of concern to everyone who...

Yet again, we are considering an important string of amendments—important because ““frequent”” and ““occasional”” have been among the most problematic terms in the Bill and have given cause to considerable debate in the House and in the other place. Also, a great many representations have been made by stakeholder groups....

Yet again, we are considering an important string of amendments—important because ““frequent”” and ““occasional”” have been among the most problematic terms in the Bill and have given cause to considerable debate in the House and in the other place. Also, a great many representations have been made by stakeholder groups....

Conservative Members agree with the intention behind the Bill, and welcome the debate that we have had since its introduction in the other place in February. I commend the Under-Secretary of State for Education and Skills, the hon. Member for Gloucester (Mr. Dhanda), and his colleagues for the way in...

Conservative Members agree with the intention behind the Bill, and welcome the debate that we have had since its introduction in the other place in February. I commend the Under-Secretary of State for Education and Skills, the hon. Member for Gloucester (Mr. Dhanda), and his colleagues for the way in...

I thank the Minister for furthering the debate on the issue. He says that he feels uncomfortable with the amendments that have been tabled, but does not give a reason for that. He might want to elucidate. The Minister might feel uncomfortable about this issue, but it is causing concern...

I thank the Minister for furthering the debate on the issue. He says that he feels uncomfortable with the amendments that have been tabled, but does not give a reason for that. He might want to elucidate. The Minister might feel uncomfortable about this issue, but it is causing concern...

I thank my hon. Friend for her contribution. As the Minister is aware, the IBB will lay an annual report before the Department and the Secretary of State may specify what the report should cover. Perhaps the Minister will tell us whether a review of fees will be included in...

I thank my hon. Friend for her contribution. As the Minister is aware, the IBB will lay an annual report before the Department and the Secretary of State may specify what the report should cover. Perhaps the Minister will tell us whether a review of fees will be included in...

I welcome several of the new clauses and amendments, which, again, give us the mechanics of how the Bill will work. The lack of those details when we discussed the Bill on Second Reading and in Committee made it difficult to be sure that we had got to grips with...

I welcome several of the new clauses and amendments, which, again, give us the mechanics of how the Bill will work. The lack of those details when we discussed the Bill on Second Reading and in Committee made it difficult to be sure that we had got to grips with...

I wish to clarify what the Minister has just said. Is it the case that amendments on the scope of regulated activity would be introduced only if they were related to developments in technology that might occur in the future?

I wish to clarify what the Minister has just said. Is it the case that amendments on the scope of regulated activity would be introduced only if they were related to developments in technology that might occur in the future?

Given that it is highly improbable that we will reach those amendments because of the mountain of amendments we have to deal with, and the level of interest in the House, it would be helpful if the Minister could clarify the use of the term ““frequency”” or ““frequently””. That does...

Given that it is highly improbable that we will reach those amendments because of the mountain of amendments we have to deal with, and the level of interest in the House, it would be helpful if the Minister could clarify the use of the term ““frequency”” or ““frequently””. That does...

I thank the Minister for his explanation of these important provisions, especially new clause 2, but this is yet another example of the Government tabling amendments in the last few days. Funding the IBB is at the heart of making the Bill work, so when the Minister responds to the...

I thank the Minister for his explanation of these important provisions, especially new clause 2, but this is yet another example of the Government tabling amendments in the last few days. Funding the IBB is at the heart of making the Bill work, so when the Minister responds to the...

I thank my hon. Friend for her contribution. As a Member who served on the Committee, she is knowledgeable about the Bill. I am sure that she will contribute to the debate that we will have on communication. We have tabled further amendments to pick up on that very issue....

I thank my hon. Friend for her contribution. As a Member who served on the Committee, she is knowledgeable about the Bill. I am sure that she will contribute to the debate that we will have on communication. We have tabled further amendments to pick up on that very issue....

The Bill was first introduced in the other place in February, but, before that, about two years’ worth of consultation took place on its provisions. All the amendments that have been tabled today, however, amply illustrate that the Government have yet to complete their thinking on this important measure. The...

The Bill was first introduced in the other place in February, but, before that, about two years’ worth of consultation took place on its provisions. All the amendments that have been tabled today, however, amply illustrate that the Government have yet to complete their thinking on this important measure. The...

Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Bill (HL). Ways and means motion agreed to on question. Report stage. New Clause 1 debated and agreed to. New Clause 2 (discussed with New Schedule 1) debated and agreed to. New Clause 3 (discussed with New Clauses 5 to 13) debated and agreed to. New Clauses 4 to 13 aebated and agreed to. New Clause 14 (discussed with New Clause 20) debated and agreed to. New Clause 15 (discussed with New Clauses 17 to 22, New Schedule 2 and 3) debated and agreed to. New Clauses 16 to 23 debated and agreed to. New Clause 23 (discussed with New Clause 24 and New Schedule 4) debated and agreed to. Amendments debated and agreed to. Amendment debated and negatived on division. Third reading debate. Agreed to on question and passed with amendments.

Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Bill (HL). Ways and means motion agreed to on question. Report stage. New Clause 1 debated and agreed to. New Clause 2 (discussed with New Schedule 1) debated and agreed to. New Clause 3 (discussed with New Clauses 5 to 13) debated and agreed to. New Clauses...