House of Lords Reform Bill [HL]
Debate between Lord Swinfen and Lord Lea of Crondall(12 years, 9 months ago)
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Lord Lea of Crondall
My Lords, perhaps someone could enlighten me on the origin of all this. I assume that commoners vote for the Commons and that Lords are a totally different kettle of fish. Is that correct? Can anyone say what the principle is supposed to be? Otherwise, it looks ridiculous.
Lord Swinfen
My Lords, I believe it is because we have a voice and a vote in Parliament.
Postal Services Bill
Debate between Lord Swinfen and Lord Lea of Crondall
Lord Swinfen
Apart from Royal Mail, there are a number of other providers of postal services, none of which produces a universal postal service. They all rely on Royal Mail to deliver the last mile, particularly in remote areas. We need something in the Bill, and I would like the Minister to tell the House how a universal postal service will be ensured by someone taking over Royal Mail. If she cannot, she must bring something forward on Report to ensure that. Otherwise, this Bill is not satisfactory.
Lord Lea of Crondall
My Lords, unless I have read this Bill wrong, Clauses 28 and 29 leave no doubts about the universal postal service. I shall put the question to the Minister the other way round. We are not debating these clauses now, but because the point has been raised it is worth looking at them. Can we take it that they mean what they say?