Arrangement of Business

Debate between Lord Fowler and Lord Soley

Wednesday 19th December 2012 Lords Chamber

[Lord Fowler]

My Lords, I think I have done as many all-night sittings in the other place as the noble Lord. I congratulate the noble Baroness on her decision. The Leveson report is immensely important to the press and public. It would have been completely absurd, and would not have done justice to the report, to start a debate with more than 40 speakers at 8 pm. Surely, as far as the noble Lord, Lord Prescott, is concerned—and on Leveson we tend to work arm in arm, if that is not too close a relationship—I do not think that a series of time-limited speeches in the early hours of the morning would have had any influence whatever outside this House. Therefore, it underlines the correctness of the decision taken by my noble friend.

[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.