Arrangement of Business

Lord Prescott Excerpts

Wednesday 19th December 2012 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Anelay of St Johns]

My Lords, last night I made a statement at 6.46 pm, going into some detail on the circumstances surrounding why it was necessary in the minds of several Peers taking part to delay the Leveson report debate. I do not propose to repeat the comments I made at col. 1522, where I explained why the business that had been scheduled had gone outside the range of time that would normally have been taken for Third Reading. That is better left for reading.

I gave undertakings to the House last night that we would seek a very early opportunity. In answer to several questions last night, I fully supported the view of those who wished to speak that they should not be hindered by anything other than the rules of the House in the Companion in so doing. Therefore, I can confirm that the normal process on a Friday is that we sit at 10 am. This will not be a time-limited debate. We shall follow the usual processes that we have with defence, economics and foreign affairs debates. It is in the hands of those who speak; they decide how long their speeches will be. No doubt, if they become a little overlong, those present may make that view felt.

[Lord Prescott]

My Lords, the noble Baroness last night informed us of the cancellation of this important debate, but said it was influenced by “a forceful delegation” who approached her. Can she give me the names of this forceful delegation, since they were the eiderdown brigade who prefer bed to debate? Does she also realise that, in missing the opportunity last night, this House has missed the opportunity to discuss the alternatives that there are on the Leveson issue, which are likely to be decided in the next week or so and before we have the debate? Does she also recognise that it has denied us the opportunity to discuss the latest issue of the Mitchell police affair, which is moving into charges of conspiracy between the Sun, the Telegraph and the police? It would have been a good opportunity, as Leveson recommended changes and the press refuse to accept them.

[Baroness Anelay of St Johns]

My Lords, I was very ready last night to agree with everything that the noble Lord, Lord Prescott, said. I made that clear and I do so again today. He makes a forceful point. Of course, the usual channels had originally scheduled the debate for yesterday to reflect the view that it was important for the debate to take place before anything had been set in stone. However, in politics I understand that stone sometimes moves anyway in any Government, so it is not quite as we might think.

I certainly believe that we have found the earliest available opportunity. I understand that there are Members present in the Chamber today who were part of that delegation who came to see the Leader and me. As I mentioned last night, they were speaking on behalf of others as well. That was certainly the case. I was also aware, as I made clear last night, that other Members of this House would have preferred to go on into the late night—whether they brought their duvets with them, I am not too sure.