Constitutional Reform and Governance Bill

I agree entirely with the hon. Member for Cannock Chase (Dr. Wright) and I think that the way to test that opinion is to press amendment 22 to a vote, so I shall ask you, Sir Michael, if we can do that in due course. I should also mention very briefly new clause 15, which would at least require the Government to say what the limits on the numbers of special advisers should be. At the moment the Bill, as drafted, would allow thousands of special advisers to be appointed, which would entirely undermine the senior civil service and introduce an entirely different system of government.