Arrangement of Business

Lord Beith Excerpts

Wednesday 12th July 2023 Lords Chamber

[Lord Davies of Gower (Con)]

My Lords, I beg to move that the House now take a short adjournment during pleasure, resuming at a time to be notified on the Annunciator.

[The Deputy Speaker (Lord Beith) (LD)]

The Question is that the House do adjourn during pleasure.

Some Lords objected to the Motion, so it was not agreed.

[The Deputy Speaker (Lord Beith) (LD)]

I will put that Question again. As many as are of that opinion will say “Content”; to the contrary “Not content”.

Some Lords objected to the Motion, so it was not agreed.

[The Deputy Speaker (Lord Beith) (LD)]

I am not sure that the House wishes this matter to be decided by a Division, but I have no alternative if that is persisted.

[Lord Kennedy of Southwark (Lab Co-op)]

I understand the desire of the House to get on with the business. I get that, but the problem may be that we have not got any papers yet, so we will have to have a short adjournment to get those ready.

--- Later in debate ---

[Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle (GP)]

Motions can be amended.

[The Deputy Speaker (Lord Beith) (LD)]

I am going to take it that the view of the House, so far as I can establish it, is that we do now adjourn. I see no more participants in the debate—sorry, the Chief Whip wishes to speak.

--- Later in debate ---

[Baroness Williams of Trafford (Con)]

What time is the noble Lord suggesting might be brief? To be honest, we should be having a usual channels discussion but would half an hour suit the noble Lord?

[The Deputy Speaker (Lord Beith) (LD)]

The occupant of the Woolsack has not been provided with the papers for the session to resume immediately if we do not adjourn. It is not in the interests of the House for that to happen.

[Baroness Williams of Trafford (Con)]

My Lords, may I suggest that we adjourn during pleasure until we receive the Marshalled List? Ah—we have it, okay. Would the noble Baroness like to withdraw her proposal?