Mr ABBOTT (Leader of the House) (10:34 AM) —In response to members opposite and in winding up this debate, let me say that I appreciate their sincerity, I appreciate their concern that the committee system works as well as possible and I am glad to hear from them that they appreciate also the government's sincerity. We simply have a sincere difference on this occasion.

Let me just remind members opposite that what the government is proposing today is to amend standing order 344 for the remainder of this session. I can assure members opposite that, if this change is made, I will be writing to the Procedure Committee to ask it to review the operation of the changed standing order 344 and report, and I am sure we will get a sensible and intelligent report from the committee. So I oppose the amendment and I commend to the House my original motion.

Question put: