"My Lords, today I pay tribute to Lord Laming. His lifetime of public service has left an indelible mark on the whole fabric of British social work, public management and the very conscience of our nation. Herbert’s journey into the public sphere began with a deeply practical grounding, dedicating 20 …..." Baroness Smith of Basildon - View Speech
"That it is expedient that a joint committee of Lords and Commons be appointed to consider and report on the Draft Conversion Practices Bill presented to both Houses on 25 June (CP 1604), and that the Committee should report on the draft Bill by 22 January 2027...." Baroness Smith of Basildon - View Speech
"My Lords, first, I concur with the noble Lord, Lord True, and thank those Ministers who have served in government and have now left government. Their service has been exemplary, they have all been dedicated and hard-working and we are grateful for their continued support and wish them well. I …..." Baroness Smith of Basildon - View Speech
"Okay, 9 pm. I have to say, given what was said—we all agreed on how we would say this when we had the King’s Speech—I was a bit surprised and, as I say, disappointed that there was no consultation, discussion, engagement or even notice from the noble Lord. There was …..." Baroness Smith of Basildon - View Speech
"I am grateful to the noble Lord for that, because I was told by his office that he was unavailable to see me at that point. I did say that he then came down to see me, but I am grateful for the clarification that he was not involved in …..." Baroness Smith of Basildon - View Speech
"My Lords, it might help the House to know that, by the time the noble Baroness spoke to the Chief Whip, the Motion had already been tabled and we had been alerted...." Baroness Smith of Basildon - View Speech
"My Lords, I have it in command from His Majesty the King to deliver to your Lordships a message signed with his own hand...." Baroness Smith of Basildon - View Speech
"My Lords, it is with a profound sense of sadness, shared across the House, that I pay tribute today to one of the truly monumental figures of our nation’s legal and parliamentary heritage. The news of the passing of the noble and learned Lord, Lord Mackay of Clashfern, shortly before …..." Baroness Smith of Basildon - View Speech
"That Standing Order 44 (No two stages of a Bill to be taken on one day) be dispensed with on Tuesday 14 July to allow the Taxation (Energy and Vehicles) Bill to be taken through its remaining stages that day...." Baroness Smith of Basildon - View Speech