House of Lords: Facilities Debate

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Department: Leader of the House

House of Lords: Facilities

Lord Steel of Aikwood Excerpts
Wednesday 25th May 2011

(13 years, 5 months ago)

Lords Chamber
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Lord Strathclyde Portrait Lord Strathclyde
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My Lords, my noble friend was a Member of the House when it had a membership of well over 1,000.

Lord Steel of Aikwood Portrait Lord Steel of Aikwood
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My Lords, I wonder whether my noble friend has yet had time to read the report from the House of Commons constitutional committee, which said that, despite the wonderful plans for 2015 and 2025, the Government should get on with improving the functioning of this House now. Would not the easiest way of doing that be to take over my Private Member’s Bill, which had such a warm welcome at Second Reading and is already under way? It is a free gift that is being offered.

Lord Strathclyde Portrait Lord Strathclyde
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My Lords, my noble friend’s offer is kind and generous, but he will know that at the last election no political party supported his Bill—no party had it in its manifesto—whereas there is a consensus to have an elected House in 2015.