House of Lords Reform Bill [HL]

Lord Haskel Excerpts

Friday 21st October 2011 Lords Chamber

[Lord Steel of Aikwood]

My Lords, we have had a very good humoured debate throughout the day. It began perhaps a little fractiously in the morning but—

[The Deputy Chairman of Committees (Lord Haskel)]

Before the noble Lord responds, I have to call Amendment 143 as an amendment to Amendment 142.

[The Earl of Caithness]

My Lords, in order to allow the noble Lord, Lord Steel, to speak, I am not going to move Amendments 143 to Amendments 161 inclusive because they are amendments to Amendment 142 which I am going to withdraw for the reasons I have said. I had to move it to get on the record my apology to the House.

[Lord Steel of Aikwood]

My Lords, we have done very useful work today—

[The Deputy Chairman of Committees]

I am sorry. Can I say that Amendments 143 to 161 are not moved?

Amendments 143 to 161 (to Amendment 142) not moved.

--- Later in debate ---

[Viscount Astor]

I quite understand my noble friend but I would just point out to him that in the Marshalled List, which is prepared by the Clerks, Amendment 163 is there. It is then followed by the amendment of Clause 19 and it then goes on to Amendments 1, 2 and 3. Is the noble Lord saying that we will have to postpone dealing with Amendment 163 until the end of the session today?

[The Deputy Chairman of Committees]

It may be helpful if I tell noble Lords that Amendment 163 is in the wrong place and that it should come at the very end.

--- Later in debate ---

[Lord Steel of Aikwood]

I agree—

[The Deputy Chairman of Committees]

Is Amendment 142 not moved?

[The Earl of Caithness]

No, my Lords, with respect to the Chairman, we are debating Amendment 142 at the moment and the noble Lord, Lord Steel, is on his feet. I have yet to speak on it again.

--- Later in debate ---

Amendment 162 not moved.

[The Deputy Chairman of Committees]

Before Clause 1, Amendment 1.

[Lord Shutt of Greetland]

My Lords, let me just try something without being partial, because it is up to the House what it does. There is half an hour. Your Lordships may remember that on 20 July we were debating the Localism Bill, a government Bill. During a wonderful period between about 7.30 pm and 8 pm, everybody agreed to withdraw amendments and leave it until Report. Many different people were involved who were concerned with several different amendments. That decision was taken; it was left to Report, and Report on the Bill has now concluded. That would be a way forward, if that is what the House wishes, but it is in the hands of the House whether it wishes to do something like that or to proceed with several amendments and, perhaps, not get too far today.

--- Later in debate ---

[The Earl of Caithness]

I am slightly confused. I do not know whether the Deputy Chairman of Committees has called Amendment 1. He certainly did not call any Peer to speak to Amendment 1, so I do not know whether we are in limbo land or debating an amendment.

[The Deputy Chairman of Committees (Lord Haskel)]

I was obliged to call Amendment 1 but it was obvious that the Government Chief Whip wanted to say something, so I called it and then invited him to speak. If it is the wish of the Committee I shall call Amendment 1and the noble Earl, Lord Caithness.

Amendment 1

Moved by

--- Later in debate ---

[Baroness Farrington of Ribbleton]

My Lords, I beg to move that the Question on Amendment 2 be now put.

[The Deputy Chairman of Committees]

Amendment 3.

[Baroness Farrington of Ribbleton]

Oh, Amendment 3. It says Amendment 2 on the annunciator.

[The Deputy Chairman of Committees]

The Question is that Amendment 3 be agreed to.

[Lord Trefgarne]

I fear that the Deputy Chairman has got it wrong. The noble Baroness has moved that the Question be now put. That is a debatable Motion and there is a Standing Order that has to be read out first.

[Baroness Farrington of Ribbleton]

My Lords, I believe that the Motion that the Question be now put is not debatable.

[The Deputy Chairman of Committees]

I am instructed by order of the House to say that the Motion that the Question be now put is considered to be the most exceptional procedure and the House will not accept it save in circumstances where it is felt to be the only means of ensuring the proper conduct of business in the House. Further, if a Lord who seeks to move it persists in his intention, the practice of the House is that the Question on the Motion is put without debate. The Question is that the Question be now put.