Parliamentary Privilege Debate

Full Debate: Read Full Debate

Baroness Royall of Blaisdon

Main Page: Baroness Royall of Blaisdon (Labour - Life peer)

Parliamentary Privilege

Baroness Royall of Blaisdon Excerpts
Tuesday 11th December 2012

(12 years ago)

Lords Chamber
Read Full debate Read Hansard Text
Lord Richard Portrait Lord Richard
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

My Lords, the Chairman of Committees said that the first thing we should do is go back to the usual channels. With respect, that is not so. The first thing we have to do is not pass this Motion. If this Motion is passed, the committee is established; if it is not passed then certainly we can go back to the usual channels.

Baroness Royall of Blaisdon Portrait Baroness Royall of Blaisdon
- Hansard - -

My Lords, as part of the usual channels—

None Portrait Noble Lords
- Hansard -

Oh!

--- Later in debate ---
Baroness Royall of Blaisdon Portrait Baroness Royall of Blaisdon
- Hansard - -

I am very proud to be part of the usual channels. I am also acutely conscious of the need for gender balance. I am rather embarrassed by the fact that there is no gender balance on this committee. We have a very democratic system in my party and we ask people to put their names forward if they wish to serve on committees and we try to ensure a gender balance across committees. If, however, it were the will of the House that this should go back in order to find a better gender balance, I would have no hesitation in supporting that. It is something that I am very conscious of.

Lord Campbell-Savours Portrait Lord Campbell-Savours
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

My Lords, I wonder whether the Chairman of Committees could respond to the question raised by my noble friend Lord Grocott. If he feels that it is difficult, perhaps the Leader of the House could intervene and explain to the whole House what the position is.