Arrangement of Business

Lord Harper Excerpts

Friday 27th February 2026 Lords Chamber

[Lord Moore of Etchingham (Non-Afl)]

My Lords, I take the point made by the noble Lord, Lord Rooker, and other noble Lords about courtesy in relation to our proceedings. It would be helpful for those of us who are trying to amend the Bill to be told at the time when we are filibustering, because we do not think we are filibustering and we think we are debating the Bill. We would value some guidance if Peers on the other side were to jump up and say it at the time rather than in the papers or on the radio later.

[Lord Harper (Con)]

My Lords, I thank the Chief Whip for the remarks he made earlier and the response that he made in writing to me following the remarks I made at the end of the last session when we had adjourned mid-group. He has committed to make the list that the clerks will compile of those that were present at the beginning of the group available to the various Whips’ offices and the Cross-Benchers so that they can be circulated and everyone is then clear about who was here, which will hopefully avoid the confusion that we had at the beginning of the session a few weeks ago where it was not entirely clear who was present. I think we ended up having some extra speeches from people who perhaps were not necessarily here at the beginning, so I thank him very much for that helpful advice.

On the other points that have been made, very briefly, there absolutely has not been any filibustering.

[Noble Lords]

Oh!

[Lord Harper (Con)]

I hear noble Lords groaning, but the average length of a speech in Committee so far has been less than five—

[Baroness Murphy (CB)]

It is worth noting, for what it is worth to the Chamber, that the noble Lord, Lord Harper, is just beginning his first filibuster now.

[Lord Harper (Con)]

With respect, perhaps the noble Baroness should listen to what the Government Chief Whip said about treating people with kindness, courtesy and respect. I started by thanking the Government Chief Whip for his helpful observation to avoid confusion when we adjourn mid-group. I was only responding to the points that had been made earlier, including by the noble and learned Lord, Lord Falconer of Thoroton, who spoke at considerable length.

I would have already concluded by now if the noble Baroness had not intervened on me. Let me just finish what I was going to say. The average length of a speech has been less than five minutes, which is half of the length of the time set out in the Companion. People moving amendments have up to 15 minutes, so I think that demonstrates that noble Lords are indeed doing what the noble Baroness opposite suggested in making sure they focus on new points and on keeping their speeches short. On a number of occasions, I have not said things I planned on saying because they had been well ventilated and I felt the remarks had been made.

The final point I would make—

[Noble Lords]

Oh!

[Lord Harper (Con)]

Again, the groans do not suggest that people are listening with courtesy and respect. I have been in this Chamber for every single minute of debate on this Bill and have listened to every contribution, even those that I fundamentally do not agree with, with courtesy and respect. I think it is good that we all do that on a Bill of such importance, which is being viewed by people outside this Chamber.

The final point I was going to say is that we would have made more progress if many of the known issues with this Bill when it was first introduced and left the other place had been dealt with at an earlier stage. We are making progress; we have improved the Bill. We accepted the amendment the noble and learned Lord tabled on dealing with the well-known issue of anorexia. We have improved the Bill, but that could have been done a long time ago. Those complaining about the lack of progress ought to reflect on their own contribution to the Bill not being in a state where we are able to make swifter progress and move to Report at an earlier opportunity.

[Baroness Royall of Blaisdon (Lab)]

May I suggest we heed the very wise advice of the noble Lord, Lord Lansley, and proceed today, as the noble Baroness said, and get through as many groups as possible, making amendments as we see fit as a Chamber? We should do our job of scrutiny, which is exactly why we are here.