Localism Bill
Debate between Lord Faulkner of Worcester and Lord Bichard
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.