Arrangement of Business

Lord Peston Excerpts

Tuesday 4th October 2011 Grand Committee

[Baroness Garden of Frognal]

My Lords, might I point out that for this session there are not people in wheelchairs to whom that might apply? By the time we start the Welfare Reform Bill, when it might apply, we will have had confirmation of what the system will be. We perfectly understand that it would not be possible for people in wheelchairs to get down from this room to vote should a vote be called.

[Lord Peston]

My Lords, might I raise a further question? I am not quite yet in a wheelchair but I have a badly damaged knee. I could easily not manage to get down there, particularly if the lift was not working. When these discussions take place could you not confine it just to people in wheelchairs but include people who are hampered in other ways?

[The Deputy Chairman of Committees]

I add that I am able to make the temporary recess while we go down to vote a little longer if I feel it is necessary, so I shall keep an eye on that.