Constitutional Reform and Governance Bill

I give notice that I shall seek leave to withdraw amendment 68, but I want to make a few remarks in response to the debate. First, I thank my hon. Friend the Minister for her kind remarks about my health: it is improving but it is not quite there yet. The amendment has provoked a debate, and that is important. I was particularly impressed by the speech from the hon. Member for Gainsborough (Mr. Leigh), the Chair of the Public Accounts Committee. I thought it was clear, strong and impressive, and it is good to restate these matters. I know that many people in this Committee share his view; I certainly do, and my intention with the amendment was to maximise the strength of the CAG and the NAO—I did not want to restrict either of them in any way. That intention was most true of amendment 78, which the Minister said was impracticable and unnecessary. However, there was an argument to be had and a point to be made, and I thank the hon. Member for Cambridge (David Howarth) for giving what I was saying a degree of support. I am absolutely passionate in my belief that we must make sure that the strength of the legislature in relation to the Executive is maintained—and, indeed, improved, as I do not think that it is strong enough now. The roles of the CAG and the NAO play a crucial part in that. I like to think that I have provoked a useful debate, and that I have made some points that needed to be made. I beg to ask leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. Clause 37 ordered to stand part of the Bill.