House of Lords Reform Bill [HL]

Lord Foulkes of Cumnock Excerpts

Friday 21st October 2011 Lords Chamber

[Lord Elton]

My Lords, I am a friend to this Bill. I rise briefly to say only that I am also a friend to the noble Lord, Lord Steel. However, I deeply regret the precedent that we are setting by allowing your Lordships to come through the Front Door of the House to discover that the Order of Business is completely different from what it was the night before. I hope it is not something that will be done in the future.

[Lord Foulkes of Cumnock]

My Lords, I should point out that this has already been done when the government Chief Whip moved a Motion that the Welfare Reform Bill should be considered in Grand Committee without having consulted properly with the officials of the House to see whether that was practically possible. Unfortunately, that precedent has already been created.

[Lord Dubs]

My Lords, I am persuaded by the arguments of the noble Lord, Lord Steel.