Justin Madders
MP for Ellesmere Port and Bromborough · Labour · United Kingdom
“Friend the Member for Dunstable and Leighton Buzzard asked about, will consider the points raised in this debate and whether any of them can be put into future updates to guidance. As was mentioned, good passenger information is central to standards.”
“As the roads Minister, I of course recognise the importance of bus stops and the important effect they have on the streetscape. My hon. Friend the Member for Dunstable and Leighton Buzzard made clear that she is passionate and informed about the importance of bus journeys to everyone.”
“Where responsibility for highways or individual assets sits elsewhere, close and effective working between the relevant authorities is essential. We expect local plans to join up services, infrastructure and passenger information, rather than treating them as separate issues. That will no doubt be music to the ears of my hon.”
“Our guidance encourages authorities to take a strategic approach to stops and interchanges, including keeping an inventory of infrastructure, identifying priorities for investment and setting locally appropriate standards for facilities and maintenance.”
“She is absolutely right that the quality of a bus stop is about more than accessibility, although of course accessibility is vital. Passengers notice whether a stop is easy to find and use, whether it offers shelter or seating where appropriate, whether it is clean, whether the surroundings feel safe and well maintained and, as we have di…”
“That approach reflects a simple principle: local transport authorities know their areas and are best placed to plan improvements across the whole local bus network. That is why the Department’s vision for buses, within an integrated transport system, puts local transport authorities at the centre of delivery.”
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“I believe I have already addressed the concerns raised by the hon. Member for Bridgwater on several occasions this morning, although I take his points. Amendment 203 agreed to .”
“That provides legal certainty for courts, enforcement agencies and affected individuals alike. This is a technical but vital amendment that protects the integrity of the legal framework and ensures continuity.”
“They impose important requirements on individuals for the purpose of protecting people from being victims of modern slavery, including requirements to notify enforcement authorities, and those obligations must remain enforceable. Without the amendment, there is a clear risk that existing legal obligations could become unclear, creating loopholes for offenders to exploit. The amendment ensures that notification requirements transfer seamlessly to the Secretary of State, safeguarding our ability to hold individuals accountable and protect victims of exploitation. It also ensures that where an application is made to vary, renew or discharge a slavery and trafficking order, the courts can treat orders originally made by the GLAA as if they had been made by the Secretary of State.”
“(3) In this paragraph “slavery and trafficking risk order” has the same meaning as in the 2015 Act.” This amendment contains transitional provision to ensure that, once the functions of the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority under the Modern Slavery Act 2015 have been transferred to the Secretary of State, that Act continues to operate as intended. The amendment is essential to ensure the seamless and effective operation of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 during the transition of functions from the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority to the Secretary of State. At its core, it is about continuity and clarity. Slavery and trafficking prevention and risk orders are critical tools in the fight against modern slavery.”
“10B (1) Where— (a) a slavery and trafficking risk order requires a person to notify the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority in accordance with section 26 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 (“the 2015 Act”), and (b) immediately before the day on which paragraph 56 of Schedule 6 comes into force, that requirement has not been complied with, that requirement has effect, on and after that day, as a requirement to notify the Secretary of State. (2) On and after the coming into force of paragraph 57 of Schedule 6, the reference in section 27(2)(g) of the 2015 Act (as amended by that paragraph) to a slavery and trafficking risk order made on an application under section 23 of that Act by the Secretary of State includes a reference to such an order made on an application under that section by the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority.”
“(2) On and after the coming into force of paragraph 54 of Schedule 6, the reference in section 20(2)(g) of the 2015 Act (as amended by that paragraph) to a slavery and trafficking prevention order made on an application under section 15 of that Act by the Secretary of State includes a reference to such an order made on an application under that section by the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority. (3) In this paragraph “slavery and trafficking prevention order” has the same meaning as in the 2015 Act.”
“I beg to move amendment 204, in schedule 7, page 148, line 28, at end insert— “10A (1) Where— (a) a slavery and trafficking prevention order requires a person to notify the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority in accordance with section 19 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 (“the 2015 Act”), and (b) immediately before the day on which paragraph 53 of Schedule 6 comes into force, that requirement has not been complied with, that requirement has effect, on and after that day, as a requirement to notify the Secretary of State.”
“A lot of the people engaged in labour market abuses are operating under the radar, and therefore anything we can do to ensure that intelligence is shared and resources are combined has to be a good thing, so that these abuses are stamped out. Amendment 204 agreed to. Question proposed, That the schedule, as amended, be the Seventh schedule to the Bill.”
“It is a pleasure to see you in the Chair, Ms Vaz, and I wish you a happy new year too. I refer Members to my entry in the Register of Members’ Financial Interests. I will not detain the Committee long, as I think the support from Opposition Members for the amendment is clear. Before lunch, the hon. Member for Mid Buckinghamshire asked how this measure will make things more effective. I refer him to the evidence given by a number of stakeholders, including the Director of Labour Market Enforcement, Margaret Beels, who explained that the current fragmented system makes it difficult to ensure that intelligence is shared correctly. The hon. Member for Bridgwater used the word “clandestine”.”
“I will not detain the Committee long, as we have debated schedule 7 and the amendments to it at length. Part 5 of the Bill lays the groundwork for the creation of the fair work agency. As a result, it will abolish the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority and the Director of Labour Market Enforcement. Schedule 7 sets out transitional and savings provisions that we need in place to set up the new body. Part 1 of schedule 7 gives powers to the Secretary of State to make transfer schemes to move staff, property, rights and liabilities of the GLAA and the DLME to the Secretary of State, and part 2 provides for other necessary transitional provisions, such as to ensure that smooth sharing of information can continue and to retain provisions that devolved legislation relies on.”
“Other key terms defined by the clause include labour market enforcement undertakings and orders, “non-compliance with relevant labour market legislation” and “labour market offence”. It does not introduce any additional policy, but it is a necessary and normal part of the Bill to ensure that it is functional.”
“These clauses set out a single set of investigatory and enforcement powers that inspectors will have to carry out their job of enforcing the list of labour market legislation in part 1 of schedule 4. Clause 111 defines what constitutes non-compliance with relevant labour market legislation. It provides a clear definition of non-compliance, ensuring consistency and transparency in enforcement actions. It therefore underpins the enforcement purposes of the Bill. Clause 112 defines the key terms used throughout part 5 of the Bill relating to the governance of the fair work agency, including the concepts of the advisory board, the enforcement function and the role of an enforcement officer under clauses 75, 73 and 72, respectively.”
“New clause 7 will introduce the word “ordinarily” ahead of the words “works outside Great Britain”, which will ensure that employees who spend some of their working time outside the UK or its territorial workers will not be excluded from the legislation. I hope that Members can see that this is an important and necessary change.”
“Section 285(1) currently disapplies the collective redundancy notification requirements and certain other requirements for employees who are “working”—as opposed to “ordinarily working”—outside Great Britain, and section 285(1A) disapplies the requirements of sections 145A to 151 of the 1992 Act, “where under his contract personally to do work or perform services a worker who is not an employee works outside Great Britain.” This, unfortunately, could have the effect of excluding employees who spend any of their working time outside the UK from the requirements of the legislation. I apologise, as that appears to have been a drafting oversight.”
“New clause 7 and amendment 110 have been tabled to fix an apparent drafting error in the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992. The Committee has already debated a Government amendment to section 285(1B) of that Act, which will close a loophole in the requirement to notify the UK Government of collective redundancies for foreign-flagged ships. New clause 7 and amendment 110 concern subsections (1) and (1A) of the same section.”
“(4B) In such a case, the statutory instrument is to be proceeded with as if all of the orders and regulations contained in it were orders or regulations to which subsection (3) applies.’”— (Justin Madders.) This new clause, to be inserted into Part 6 of the Bill, would enable the combination of orders or regulations under the Employment Rights Act 1996 that would otherwise be subject to different Parliamentary procedures (or no Parliamentary procedure) in a statutory instrument subject to the affirmative procedure. Brought up, read the First and Second time, and added to the Bill. New Clause 48 Seafarers’ wages and working conditions “Schedule ( Seafarers’ wages and working conditions ) amends the Seafarers’ Wages Act 2023.”—(Justin Madders.) This new clause introduces the Schedule proposed to be inserted by NS3.”
“New Clause 11 Orders and regulations under Employment Rights Act 1996: procedure “In section 236 of the Employment Rights Act 1996 (orders and regulations), after subsection (4) insert— ‘(4A) A statutory instrument containing an order or regulations under this Act to which subsection (3) applies may include an order or regulations under this Act to which subsection (3) would not otherwise apply.”
“New Clause 10 Increase in time limits for making claims “Schedule ( Increase in time limits for making claims ) makes amendments for the purpose of increasing time limits for making claims in employment tribunals in Great Britain (and, in certain cases, industrial tribunals in Northern Ireland) from three months to six months.”— (Justin Madders.) This new clause would introduce NS2. Brought up, read the First and Second time, and added to the Bill.”
“(6) The entry of premises under a warrant issued under section ( Power to enter dwelling subject to warrant ) or 83 is unlawful unless it complies with the provisions of Part 3 of that Schedule (execution of warrants).”— (Justin Madders.) This new clause makes further provision about warrants under Part 5. It enables warrants to authorise people to accompany the enforcement officer executing the warrant. It also provides that entry under a warrant is unlawful unless it complies with provisions of NS1 relating to the execution of warrants. Brought up, read the First and Second time, and added to the Bill.”
“(3) A person authorised under subsection (2) to accompany an enforcement officer may exercise any power conferred by this Part which the officer may exercise as a result of the warrant. (4) But the person may exercise such a power only in the company of, and under the supervision of, an enforcement officer. (5) Schedule ( Warrants under Part 5: further provision ) contains further provision about— (a) applications for warrants under section ( Power to enter dwelling subject to warrant ) or 83, and (b) warrants issued under section ( Power to enter dwelling subject to warrant ) or 83.”
“(5) For further provision about warrants under this section, see section ( Warrants ) and Schedule ( Warrants under Part 5: further provision ).”— (Justin Madders.) This new clause provides that an enforcement officer may not exercise the power conferred by clause 79 to enter premises that are a dwelling without first obtaining a warrant. Brought up, read the First and Second time, and added to the Bill. New Clause 9 Warrants “(1) A warrant under section ( Power to enter dwelling subject to warrant ) or 83 may be executed by any enforcement officer. (2) A warrant under section ( Power to enter dwelling subject to warrant ) or 83 may authorise persons to accompany any enforcement officer who is executing it.”
“(3) The conditions are— (a) that it is not practicable to communicate with any person entitled to grant entry to the dwelling; (b) that it is not practicable to communicate with any person entitled to grant access to the documents or equipment; (c) that entry to the dwelling is unlikely to be granted unless a warrant is produced; (d) that the purpose of entry may be frustrated or seriously prejudiced unless an enforcement officer arriving at the dwelling can secure immediate entry to it. (4) In this section— ‘enforcement purpose’ has the same meaning as in section 79; ‘justice’ means— (a) in relation to England and Wales, a justice of the peace; (b) in relation to Scotland, a sheriff or summary sheriff; (c) in relation to Northern Ireland, a lay magistrate.”
“(2) A justice may issue a warrant under this section only if, on an application by the officer, the justice is satisfied— (a) that the officer has reasonable grounds to believe that— (i) there are documents in the dwelling which for any enforcement purpose the officer wishes to inspect, examine or seize, or (ii) there is computer or other equipment in the dwelling to which the officer wishes to have access for any enforcement purpose, and (b) that any of the conditions in subsection (3) is satisfied.”
“The shadow Minister has been eagle-eyed and spotted the difference there. I am not aware of whether there is any specific reason, other than that, although this measure is quite important in its scope, it will not actually have too much of a practical day-to-day effect. As always, I will write to him if there is any more information that I can give him about the difference. Question put and agreed to. New clause 7 accordingly read a Second time, and added to the Bill. New Clause 8 Power to enter dwelling subject to warrant “(1) An enforcement officer may not by virtue of section 79 enter any dwelling unless a justice has issued a warrant authorising the officer to enter the dwelling.”
“The new clause allows for regulations to make the necessary provisions to give effect to the conventions in question. For example, it allows for regulations to make provision relating to monitoring compliance, and to criminal offences and detention of ships for contravention of provisions in the regulations. It may not represent any changes in Government policy, but it will allow us to uphold our existing obligations and any future obligations under conventions that the UK may choose to ratify.”
“To maintain that position, it is crucial that we are able to keep pace with the international conventions that we have ratified and meet our future obligations. The new clause will fix a powers gap that was left following Brexit. It will give us the powers to make regulations under the negative procedure giving effect to the maritime labour convention and the work in fishing convention, and to make regulations giving effect to any other international agreements ratified in the UK relating to maritime employment. The first time that regulations are made in relation to a particular agreement, they will be subject to the affirmative procedure, and subsequent regulations relating to that agreement will be subject to the negative procedure.”
“Operators that provide false or misleading declarations, or act inconsistently with declarations, will be guilty of an offence under the Seafarers Wages Act. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency will be responsible for enforcing those offences, as it is for the existing provisions of the Act. The new schedule represents a proportionate and necessary approach to ensuring that the seafarers who serve our country are not subject to dangerous or unfair working conditions. It will level the playing field by setting an appropriate minimum standard for seafarers, which will ensure that good employers are not undercut by those willing to exploit their workers. I turn to new clause 52. The UK has a proud and long-standing reputation as a maritime nation, and is a leader on the global stage in matters of international maritime employment law.”
“Operators will be required to confirm that they are meeting the requirements of those declarations, which will be set out in regulations. We will consult on the requirements and the services they will apply to in due course. Safe working regulations can specify conditions relating to working patterns and rest requirements, including maximum periods of work and minimum periods of rest. They can also require operators to produce fatigue management plans, and make provision relating to safety training of seafarers. Remuneration regulations may specify requirements relating to the remuneration of seafarers, whether in UK waters or outside them. Where we are able to make agreements with other countries about pay on routes between us and them, this provision will allow us to enforce those agreements.”
“The Act currently makes payment of the national minimum wage equivalent for work in UK waters a condition of port access for international services that call at a UK port at least 120 times a year. It does that by requiring harbour authorities to request declarations from operators to confirm that they are paying the national minimum wage equivalent, or they will impose surcharges each time a vessel enters the port. Non-payment of surcharges will result in access to the port being refused. The new schedule introduces provisions that, once the necessary regulations have been made, will require harbour authorities to also request safe working declarations and remuneration declarations from operators in scope.”
“This group concerns the mandatory seafarers’ charter and amendments to international maritime convention measures. New schedule 3, and consequential amendments new clause 48 and Government amendments 206 to 208, deliver on our commitment to introduce a legally binding seafarers’ charter. The actions of P&O Ferries in 2022, when it sacked almost 800 seafarers in order to replace them with agency workers on much worse terms and conditions, highlighted the lack of protections for those working on the frequent international services that keep our country moving. We are expanding the scope of the Seafarers Wages Act 2023, which will become the Seafarers (Wages and Working Conditions) Act 2023.”
“New Clause 2 Prison officers: inducements to withhold services “In section 127 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 (Inducements to withhold services or to indiscipline)— (a) in subsection (1), omit paragraph (a); (b) omit subsection (1A); (c) omit subsection (7).” —( Mr Bedford .) This new clause would repeal provisions in the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 that prohibit inducing a prison officer to take (or continue to take) any industrial action. Brought up, and read the First time.”
“(13) A statutory instrument which— (a) contains regulations under section 84A(2), and (b) is a subsequent exercise of the power in respect of a particular agreement, is subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.’ (3) In section 306 (regulations etc), in subsection (2A)(a), after ‘section’ insert ‘84A(2),’.”— (Justin Madders.) This new clause inserts into the Merchant Shipping Act 1995 powers for the Secretary of State to make regulations to give effect to two named international maritime Conventions, and to future international agreements that relate to the employment of masters and seamen. Brought up, read the First and Second time, and added to the Bill.”
“(10) The powers conferred by section 84A to make provision for the purpose of giving effect to an agreement or an amendment of an agreement include power to provide for the provision to come into force although the agreement or amendment has not come into force. (11) Nothing in this section is to be construed as restricting the generality of the powers conferred by section 84A. (12) A statutory instrument which— (a) contains (whether alone or with other provision) regulations under section 84A(2), and (b) is the first exercise of the power in respect of a particular agreement, may not be made unless a draft of the instrument has been laid before, and approved by a resolution of, each House of Parliament.”
“(7) Regulations may provide that, in specified cases, specified persons each commit an offence created by regulations in reliance on subsection (6). (8) Regulations may— (a) make different provision for different purposes; (b) provide for references in the regulations to any specified document to operate as references to that document as revised or re-issued from time to time; (c) provide for the delegation of functions exercisable by virtue of the regulations. (9) The power to make regulations includes power to make consequential, supplementary, incidental or transitional provision.”
“(6) Regulations may provide for the contravention of any provision of the regulations to be a criminal offence, but may not provide— (a) for an offence under the regulations to be punishable on summary conviction with imprisonment; (b) in relation to Scotland or Northern Ireland— (i) for an offence under the regulations that is triable only summarily to be punishable by a fine exceeding level 5 on the standard scale; (ii) for an offence under the regulations that is triable summarily or on indictment to be punishable on summary conviction by a fine exceeding the statutory maximum; (c) for an offence under the regulations to be punishable on conviction on indictment with imprisonment for a term exceeding two years.”
“(5) Regulations may— (a) provide for the detention of a ship in respect of which a contravention of the regulations is suspected to have occurred; (b) apply section 284 with or without modifications in relation to such detentions.”
“(3) Regulations may make provision for— (a) the granting by the Secretary of State or another person of exemptions from specified provisions of the regulations for classes of case or individual cases, on such terms (if any) as the Secretary of State or that other person may specify, and (b) for the alteration or cancellation of such exemptions. (4) Regulations may make provision in respect of the checking or monitoring of compliance with any provision of the regulations, including (among other things) provision for— (a) the making and keeping of records and the keeping of documents; (b) the issue of certificates; (c) the furnishing of information.”
“84B Regulations under section 84A: supplementary (1) In subsections (2) to (9) “regulations” means regulations under section 84A. (2) Regulations— (a) may make provision in terms of approvals given by the Secretary of State or another person and in terms of any document which the Secretary of State or that other person considers relevant; (b) may provide for the cancellation of an approval given in pursuance of the regulations and for the alteration of the terms of such an approval; (c) must provide for any approval in pursuance of the regulations to be given in writing and to specify the date on which it takes effect and the conditions (if any) on which it is given.”
“(2) The Secretary of State may by regulations make such provision as the Secretary of State considers appropriate for the purpose of giving effect to an international agreement that has been ratified by the United Kingdom, so far as the agreement relates to maritime employment. (3) The power in subsection (2) to give effect to an agreement so far as it relates to maritime employment includes power to give effect to any amendments of the agreement that relate to maritime employment. (4) For the purposes of this section, a provision relates to maritime employment if it relates to the terms and conditions of employment or engagement, or working conditions, of masters or seamen. (5) Section 84B makes further provision with respect to the regulations that may be made under this section.”
“(2) After section 84 insert— ‘Part 3A International agreements relating to maritime employment 84A International agreements relating to maritime employment (1) The Secretary of State may by regulations make such provision as the Secretary of State considers appropriate for the purpose of giving effect to— (a) the Maritime Labour Convention, adopted on 23 February 2006 by the International Labour Organisation, as it has effect from time to time; (b) the Work in Fishing Convention, adopted on 14 June 2007 by the International Labour Organisation, as it has effect from time to time.”
“—(Justin Madders.) This new clause would provide a defence to the offence in Clause 103 of providing false information or documents in response to a requirement imposed by the Secretary of State under Part 5 of the Bill. The defence would apply if the Secretary of State certified that the conduct in question was necessary in the interests of national security or for certain other limited reasons. Brought up, read the First and Second time, and added to the Bill. New Clause 52 International agreements relating to maritime employment “(1) The Merchant Shipping Act 1995 is amended as follows.”
“(4) For the purposes of subsection (2)(b)— (a) ‘crime’ means conduct which— (i) constitutes a criminal offence, or (ii) is, or corresponds to, any conduct which, if it all took place in any one part of the United Kingdom, would constitute a criminal offence, and (b) crime is ‘serious’ if— (i) the offence which is or would be constituted by the conduct is an offence for which the maximum sentence (in any part of the United Kingdom) is imprisonment for three years or more, or (ii) the conduct involves the use of violence, results in substantial financial gain or is conduct by a large number of persons in pursuit of a common purpose.”.”
“(2) The Secretary of State may issue a certificate in relation to a person for the purposes of this section only if satisfied that it is necessary for the person to engage in conduct amounting to such an offence— (a) in the interests of national security, (b) for the purposes of preventing or detecting serious crime, or (c) in the interests of the economic well-being of the United Kingdom. (3) A certificate under this section may be revoked by the Secretary of State at any time.”
“—(Justin Madders.) This new clause would restrict the ability of the Secretary of State to exercise enforcement powers in relation to people serving in the intelligence services unless it had been certified that there was no risk to national security, etc. It would also restrict the ability of the Secretary of State to require others to provide documents or information relating to the work of the intelligence services. Brought up, read the First and Second time, and added to the Bill. New Clause 50 Providing false information or documents: national security etc defence “(1) A person in relation to whom a certificate is issued by the Secretary of State for the purposes of this section is not liable for the commission of an offence under section 103 (offence of providing false information or documents).”
“(6) For the purposes of this section— (a) ‘crime’ means conduct which— (i) constitutes a criminal offence, or (ii) is, or corresponds to, any conduct which, if it all took place in any one part of the United Kingdom, would constitute a criminal offence; (b) crime is ‘serious’ if— (i) the offence which is or would be constituted by the conduct is an offence for which the maximum sentence (in any part of the United Kingdom) is imprisonment for three years or more, or (ii) the conduct involves the use of violence, results in substantial financial gain or is conduct by a large number of persons in pursuit of a common purpose; (c) ‘intelligence service information’ means information obtained directly or indirectly from, or that relates to, an intelligence service or a person acting on behalf of an intelligence service.”.”
“(3) The condition in this subsection is met in relation to a power if the Secretary of State is satisfied that the exercise of the power will not be contrary to the public interest or prejudicial to— (a) national security, (b) the prevention or detection of serious crime, or (c) the economic well-being of the United Kingdom. (4) A certificate issued under this section in relation to a power may impose conditions on the exercise of the power. (5) Except as provided for by subsection (1), nothing in this Part requires any person to— (a) produce any document containing intelligence service information, or (b) provide any information that is intelligence service information.”
“New clause 48 accordingly read a Second time, and added to the Bill. New Clause 49 Information relating to the intelligence services, etc “(1) A power conferred by section 78 or 79 may not be exercised in relation to a person serving in an intelligence service unless the Secretary of State certifies that the condition in subsection (3) is met in relation to the power. (2) A power of entry conferred by this Part may not be exercised in relation to any premises (or any part of premises) used for the purposes of an intelligence service unless the Secretary of State certifies that the condition in subsection (3) is met in relation to the power.”
“I cannot give any examples of when that has been used, but I recall back in the depths of time a number of occasions when ships were stuck in port for a considerable time. I would have to check whether that was under this regulation, but I can send the hon. Member for Bridgwater further details. The powers that we seek to introduce are important to make sure that we keep up to date with the latest developments in international maritime law. It is important that there is a level playing field and that people doing this difficult and important work are protected. We must ensure that we never have a situation where employers such as P&O attempt a race to the bottom and we must ensure that standards are maintained across the board. On that basis, I commend these amendments to the Committee. Question put and agreed to.”
“Member for Mid Buckinghamshire is welcome to table an amendment on Report if he thinks that the affirmative procedure should apply to all those issues. There was a question about furnishing records. If we are going to ensure compliance with international obligations, it is important that those subject to them can document their compliance with the regulations. There is therefore a power to ensure that those records are produced to demonstrate compliance. That is not a departure from the existing arrangements. There was a general question about the detention of ships. Existing regulations and implementation of the conventions allow for detention to continue or to be introduced where there is concern about compliance or about the health, safety and welfare of those on board the ships.”
“Several amendments have been proposed to the convention, including to strengthen seafarers’ access to shore leave and improving protections against bullying and sexual harassment. We need to ensure that the powers in the legislation enable us to keep up with those important protections. Both Opposition Members mentioned the phrase “different provision for different purposes”. My understanding is that the power relates to the implementation of changes to the conventions rather than a broader power, as was suggested. The point about the negative procedure was noted. The drafting indicates that the initial implementation of regulations will be done by the affirmative procedure and thereafter changes to the law will be made by the negative procedure on the basis that those will be much more modest. The hon.”