Arrangement of Business

Baroness Watkins of Tavistock Excerpts

Friday 27th February 2026 Lords Chamber

[Lord Blunkett (Lab)]

My Lords, I am sure the Chief Whip and my noble and learned friend Lord Falcolner would agree that it is impossible to improve a Bill if you do not get to a point where you can pass it.

[Baroness Watkins of Tavistock (CB)]

My Lords, I want to make the point that the Companion asks us not to read long speeches if people have already made the points in the section that we are discussing. When we were dealing with the Mental Health Act, which I think was equally important, I had written long speeches that I then reduced by saying that I completely agreed with points that had been made by other Peers. I would encourage us to adopt a similar approach in our debate today.

[Lord Lansley (Con)]

My Lords, I have listened to many hours of debate, but I have only spoken to one group so far. I have other amendments in one group later, which I think are very important, but they are 30 groups ahead. I have not taken a position for or against the Bill in principle. We should do our job, which is to make the Bill, as far as we can, fit for purpose and then return it to the other place. We are not going to achieve that unless we each take a personal responsibility to make that happen. For my part, I want to tell noble Lords that I will withdraw or not move my remaining amendments in Committee and consider very carefully which amendments are essential for Report. Otherwise, we cannot meet our obligations.