Arrangement of Business

Lord Cormack Excerpts

Wednesday 19th December 2012 Lords Chamber

[Lord Soley]

I want to speak very briefly because my noble friend Lord Prescott identified this matter. I happily put my name forward as one of the people involved. Without hesitation, I can say that this is not about eiderdowns, beds or anything else as I manage quite well with very little sleep. However, the reality is that, as the noble Lord, Lord Fowler, said, if we had had our debate yesterday my noble friend Lord Prescott would have been making his speech at about 1 am and it would not have been noticed—and it ought to be. That is why we have the debate when we do, when we can also respond to some of the things that have been said or discussed elsewhere.

[Lord Cormack]

I am sure my noble friend has made the right decision. Will the House still sit on Friday 18 January, as is currently the plan?

[Baroness Anelay of St Johns]

I am grateful to my noble friend Lord Cormack for that question. I can confirm that the business of the House already set down for 18 January will proceed as normal. One of the considerations I had to take into account was that any scheduling of the Leveson debate should not displace Peers’ Private Members’ Bills because I know that Peers of this House value every opportunity to bring those Bills forward.