Arrangement of Business

Lord Colwyn Excerpts

Tuesday 4th October 2011 Grand Committee

[The Deputy Chairman of Committees (Lord Colwyn)]

My Lords, welcome to Committee Room 4A. I think it is time we started—you can hear Big Ben from the Moses Room, so it is very easy to know when to start. If there is a Division in the Chamber while we are sitting, the Committee will adjourn for 10 minutes and resume after that.

[Lord Foulkes of Cumnock]

I wonder whether I could raise a point in relation to that. If there are disabled people in wheelchairs present in the Committee in large numbers—that could be three, four, five or six Members of the Committee when we are discussing the Welfare Reform Bill—how are they are going to get down to the Chamber to cast their votes?

[The Deputy Chairman of Committees]

I understand that the usual channels are discussing that and it is something that will probably be in place for future Committee meetings. However, this afternoon it has not yet been agreed so if there are wheelchair users, on this occasion they will have to get down to the Chamber discussed.

[Lord Foulkes of Cumnock]

That surely is unacceptable—

--- Later in debate ---

[Lord Peston]

My Lords, might I raise a further question? I am not quite yet in a wheelchair but I have a badly damaged knee. I could easily not manage to get down there, particularly if the lift was not working. When these discussions take place could you not confine it just to people in wheelchairs but include people who are hampered in other ways?

[The Deputy Chairman of Committees]

I add that I am able to make the temporary recess while we go down to vote a little longer if I feel it is necessary, so I shall keep an eye on that.