Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill

Debate between Baroness Scotland of Asthal and Lord Tyler

Monday 15th November 2010 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Scotland of Asthal]

My Lords, the reason I described the Bill as fresh and new is that with every other constitutional Bill that we have had—the noble Lord knows this—we have had the advantage of a White Paper. We have talked about draft Bills. Pre-legislative scrutiny is something that many noble Lords who sit opposite have spoken about. I do not want to go on any further—the short issue for us is this—

[Lord Tyler]

My Lords—

[Baroness Scotland of Asthal]

I will finish and give way in a moment, if I may. The short issue for the House is whether or not we think enough has been raised for this matter to be put to the Examiners.

[Lord Tyler]

My Lords, the noble and learned Baroness will recall that she was a member of the Government who brought before your Lordships' House the Constitutional Reform and Governance Bill, which included provisions for the alternative vote but was not given any pre-legislative scrutiny and was not the subject of anything like the discussion that has taken place recently in the other place.