Arrangement of Business

Lord Kennedy of Southwark Excerpts

Wednesday 12th July 2023 Lords Chamber

[The Deputy Speaker (Lord Beith) (LD)]

I am not sure that the House wishes this matter to be decided by a Division, but I have no alternative if that is persisted.

[Lord Kennedy of Southwark (Lab Co-op)]

I understand the desire of the House to get on with the business. I get that, but the problem may be that we have not got any papers yet, so we will have to have a short adjournment to get those ready.

[Noble Lords]

They are ready.

[Lord Kennedy of Southwark (Lab Co-op)]

No, they are not all ready, sadly. We have yet to get the Marshalled List produced. We need to get some papers produced so, on this occasion, I support the government Whip in moving a short adjournment. But having heard the House, I would say that it should be a short adjournment to get these papers printed.

[Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle (GP)]

My Lords, may I move an alternative motion, which is that this House do now adjourn and recommence at 11 am tomorrow? I am holding in my hand the papers—not yet the complete papers—and there are 23 Motions, lettered A to Y. I got this, still warm from the printer, about 15 or 20 minutes ago and I put it on the record for Hansard that it is now 7.45 pm. We have just been talking about the issue of discrimination and access, and everyone being able fully to participate in this debate. We are supposed to be the mother of all Parliaments. We cannot reasonably have a proper debate on an absolutely crucial Bill, which the world is watching, starting at some time presumably after 8 pm and going into the early hours. This is no way to run a country and I put it to your Lordships that we should now adjourn and come back and do this properly.

--- Later in debate ---

[Lord Rooker (Lab)]

In my experience, this is normal for ping-pong and I am not going to be told what to do by the Greens.

[Lord Kennedy of Southwark (Lab Co-op)]

We have heard from a number of Members. I certainly want us to adjourn briefly—I stress briefly—and then come back to decide these issues.

[Baroness Williams of Trafford (Con)]

What time is the noble Lord suggesting might be brief? To be honest, we should be having a usual channels discussion but would half an hour suit the noble Lord?