House of Lords: Reform Debate

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Department: Ministry of Justice
Wednesday 21st July 2010

(14 years, 4 months ago)

Lords Chamber
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Lord McNally Portrait Lord McNally
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I am thinking of those wishing to talk to the Inland Revenue. I go back to what I said. It is very interesting and like Attlee’s definition of an elephant: when you see a working Peer, you recognise one. I recognise a lot around this House.

Baroness D'Souza Portrait Baroness D'Souza
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Does the Minister agree that the main functions of this House—to revise legislation and to hold the Government of the day to account—would be adversely affected by the Government having an overall working majority?

Lord McNally Portrait Lord McNally
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That is why I think that the present arrangements, where the Government have no overall working majority, work excellently.