Jobseekers (Back to Work Schemes) Bill

Lord Touhig Excerpts

Monday 25th March 2013 Lords Chamber

[Lord Freud]

The noble Lord makes the same point as JRR Tolkien, who did not think that “growth” was the right way to refer to hobbits at Bilbo Baggins’s birthday party. If the noble Lord can think of a better word than stockpile, I will happily use it. I cannot think of one off the top of my head. If the noble Lord finds that offensive—

[Lord Touhig]

Does the Minister think that “people” is a good word?

--- Later in debate ---

[Lord Freud]

My Lords, I am not going to pick up a particular case because I do not have the detail on it. It would not be appropriate for me to hazard a guess on what was behind a particular e-mail or a particular concern.

[Lord Touhig]

My Lords, I hear what the Minister has said, and he is held in high regard across the House. In view of what my noble friend Lady Hollis has said, will he therefore initiate an investigation into how this memo came about? Will he come back to the House to explain what action the Government are taking on this? Somebody is clearly acting against government policy, and it should be stopped.

[Baroness Hollis of Heigham]

Will the Minister also, therefore, ensure that all DWP local offices receive the same information—that this is to be deplored?