Commons Bill [HL]

My Lords, I am very grateful to the Minister—in particular, for his response to our Amendment No. 57. I thought that we had slightly persuaded him of our case in Committee, but no government amendments have been forthcoming and so we have returned to the issue. I am extremely grateful to him for agreeing to look at the matter again, although he is making no promises. Perhaps I may clarify his response to my Amendment No. 56. I am unsure about it and want to be certain. Is he saying that the provision applies in the past, present and future? From the wording in the Bill, which can be interpreted in any way, it is difficult to know whether that is the case and the Minister did not respond on that point. Do I gather from his nod that that is so?