Refreshment Committee Debate

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Wednesday 20th June 2012

(12 years, 5 months ago)

Lords Chamber
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Lord Palmer Portrait Lord Palmer
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My Lords, bearing in mind the extremely heavy workload of the conscientious noble Lord, Lord Sewel, as Chairman of Committees, would it not make sense to appoint to this very important committee a chairman who has first-hand catering experience?

Lord Sewel Portrait The Chairman of Committees (Lord Sewel)
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Well, I do have some first-hand catering experience. I remember spending many hours happily working in various bars during my period as an undergraduate. The point is that at this stage, in my first year as Chairman of Committees, it is important that I have direct experience of the issues confronting all the domestic committees. After that has been achieved, which may take some time, the situation could well be reviewed—but not until then.