Bank of England and Financial Services Bill [HL]

Lord Bichard Excerpts

Monday 9th November 2015 Lords Chamber

Tabled by

[Lord Bichard]

14: Clause 11, page 9, line 27, leave out from “section” to end of line 28 and insert “shall not be construed as entitling the Comptroller to question the merits of the policy objectives of the Bank, including in relation to monetary policy.”

[Lord Bichard (CB)]

My Lords, if I might be allowed a moment of personal explanation, I was advised earlier today by the clerks that the Addison rules of 1951, of which I have to admit I was not previously closely informed, might be argued to preclude someone who holds the position that I do of chair of the board of the National Audit Office from speaking on these issues or indeed from moving the amendment. I do not wish to put myself in the position of appearing in any way to act inappropriately or against the rules of the House so I readily, albeit reluctantly, agreed not to speak further in this debate. I hope, however, that the House will allow others who have supported the amendments that I tabled in good faith to move them.

[The Deputy Chairman of Committees (Baroness Fookes) (Con)]

I take that as a kind of personal statement.