Examination of Witnesses(Question 300-310)
Mrs Charles George and Miss Joanna Clayton
Tuesday 4 February 2003
After a short break
300. CHAIRMAN: Mr Fleming, would you like to address
the Committee.
301. MR FLEMING: Mr Chairman, thank you for this
opportunity to say a few words.
302. Basically I have been dealing with this objection,
as it was, from the start of this and have been down a very long
road. The outcome of all of this is that various parts of the
objections have already been taken care of by the unions, and
by the time we reached this committee stage we had narrowed down
an area where, thankfully through negotiation, we have been able
to resolve that matter. I am quite happy that the areas I want
to proceed with can be dealt with within the existing structures.
303. I would formally like to withdraw my Petition,
and hope that this Committee as it sees fit can move on with this.
As a result of everything, I think Merseyside as a whole would
benefit from everything that is going on.
304. I apologise if this has inconvenienced the Committee.
I think my withdrawal will actually help Merseyside and, at the
end of the day, that is what we are trying to do — progress
things. I think with the structure that we hope will be in place
that will be the result.
305. CHAIRMAN: Thank you very much. That was a very
helpful contribution. Mr George, would you like to comment?
306. MR GEORGE: In those circumstances I would simply
ask the Committee under Standing Order 131 forthwith to refer
back the Bill to the Committee of Selection — we being at
a stage that the evidence of the Promoters has not yet commenced.
307. Can I say formally, so far as the Promoters
are concerned, one is always very happy when there are no longer
Petitioners against a Bill. I am only sorry, and apologise to
the Committee, that your time was taken last Thursday. I am sure
you would have wanted to sit on this week. Thank you for your
kindness in hearing us on Thursday.
308. CHAIRMAN: Thank you, Mr George.
309. In the light of Mr Fleming's statement and Mr George's
statement, the Mersey Tunnels Bill will now be referred to the
Unopposed Bills Committee, and this Committee will be disbanded.
310. May I, on behalf of my colleagues, thank you,
Mr George, for the way in which you have presented the case for
the Bill — very ably supported, I may say, by your second
Joanna Clayton; and, Mr Fleming, for your very helpful contribution
to the Committee this morning.
Adjourned sine die
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