Localism Bill

Lord Faulkner of Worcester Excerpts

Wednesday 14th September 2011 Lords Chamber

[Lord Bichard]

I hope, before the Minister sits down, I could be allowed an interjection since I do not have the right to make a response after he has sat down—

[The Deputy Speaker (Lord Faulkner of Worcester)]

If the noble Lord moved the amendment, he has the right to respond.

[Lord Bichard]

But this noble Lord did not move the amendment. However, I think the Minister was happy for me to interject at this point before he sat down, and my interjection was merely to say how grateful I was for the constructive nature of the response. It was as much of a surprise to me as it was to the noble Lord, Lord Newton, and others that this offer was made this evening, but we are very grateful to accept it and I too look forward to those discussions. I say to the noble Lord, Lord Taylor, that I would certainly enter those discussions saying, “Read my lips: no excessive bureaucracy and no Standards Board”. Finally, I would just like to say to noble Lords who have spoken this evening and supported this amendment how grateful I am for that. I think it is, as the noble Lord, Lord Tope, has said, a really good example of the House at its best.