House of Lords Reform Bill

Debate between Angela Eagle and Stephen Dorrell

Tuesday 10th July 2012 Commons Chamber

[Ms Eagle]

We look forward to seeing what proposals the Government actually bring forward. I tried earlier to get a few hints from the Leader of the House, but he seems not to know the answer yet. I hope that we will know soon what the Government intend to do, but the principle that the entire Bill must have adequate scrutiny and that when it leaves this place, it must be fit for purpose is the one that is in our minds.

[Mr Stephen Dorrell (Charnwood) (Con)]

Opposition Front Benchers asserted yesterday that the timetable motion on today’s Order Paper would not give adequate time for the Bill to be debated as it goes through the House, so they must have some idea of how much time is adequate if they were able to reach that conclusion. Just why was the question asked by my hon. Friend the Member for Hexham (Guy Opperman) on how many days are adequate a silly one in that context?

[Ms Eagle]

We have to see what progress the Bill makes. With good will on both sides, Parliament can do the job that it was elected to do.