House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) Bill
Debate between Lord Grocott and Lord Howard of Lympne
Committee stage
Monday 3rd March 2025
Read Full debate House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) Bill 2024-26 View all House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) Bill 2024-26 Debates Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts Amendment Paper: HL Bill 49-I(c) Amendments for Committee (Supplementary to the Marshalled List) - (3 Mar 2025)
Monday 3rd March 2025
(1 month ago)
Lords ChamberRead Full debate House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) Bill 2024-26 View all House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) Bill 2024-26 Debates Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts Amendment Paper: HL Bill 49-I(c) Amendments for Committee (Supplementary to the Marshalled List) - (3 Mar 2025)
Lord Howard of Lympne (Con)
If the noble Lord is correct, why did the noble and learned Lord, Lord Irvine, use the words “binding in honour”?
Lord Grocott (Lab)
I cannot possibly interpret at this juncture the views of the noble and learned Lord, Lord Irvine—I know that the noble Lord, Lord Howard, has resurrected him during this debate. I really do not know precisely why he used the wording, but I know the context in which that “agreement” took place. I was working in No. 10 at the time. We were told by the then Chief Whip, my predecessor, that he feared for the whole legislative programme if we did not concede to the 92 hereditary Peers remaining. I do not feel in any way guilty or dishonourable by regarding that as an agreement that is not valid.