Draft Registration of Overseas Entities Bill Committee
Debate between Lord Trefgarne and Lord McFall of Alcluith
Lord Trefgarne (Con)
I want to raise a small technical point. I do not oppose this Motion but I notice that a quorum for this committee is only two. Is it considered that just two noble Lords, or one noble Lord and one honourable or right honourable Member of another place, is sufficient for the committee to function?
The Senior Deputy Speaker (Lord McFall of Alcluith) (Non-Afl)
I am mightily relieved by the comment of the noble Lord, Lord Foulkes, that it is not my responsibility.
On the first question, yes, the Liaison Committee wrote to us and it was approved. On the noble Lord’s second question—he is taking me out of my comfort zone on this issue—the May date is the reporting date and if the committee has not finished its business by then, it can be reappointed and go into the next Session.
On the point made by the noble Lord, Lord Trefgarne, the quorum of sub-committees of the European Committee is two. Other Joint Committees, such as the Joint Committee on Human Rights and the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments, also have a quorum of two from each House. The quorum of a recent pre-legislative scrutiny committee of the Joint Committee on the Draft Health Service Safety Investigations Bill was also two from each House. Therefore, it is consistent.
Procedure Committee
Debate between Lord Trefgarne and Lord McFall of Alcluith
The Senior Deputy Speaker
This may confuse things even more, but I am informed by bush telegraph that the noble Lord, Lord Trefgarne, did not move his amendment.
Lord Trefgarne
My Lords, I apologise that I did not proceed as I should have done. I beg to move the amendment.