Vol. 706 Wednesday No. 1 3 December 2008

PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES (HANSARD) OFFICIAL REPORT

ORDER OF BUSINESS

Queen’s Speech Members of the House Death of a Member Select Vestries Bill First Reading Queen’s Speech Debate (First Day) Chairman of Committees Motion Principal Deputy Chairman of Committees Motion Stoppages in the Streets For column numbers see back page

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© Parliamentary Copyright House of Lords 2008, this publication may be reproduced under the terms of the Parliamentary Click-Use Licence, available online through the Office of Public Sector Information website at www.opsi.gov.uk/click-use/ HER MAJESTY’S GOVERNMENT

PRINCIPAL OFFICERS OF STATE THE CABINET PRIME MINISTER,FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY AND MINISTER FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE—The Rt. Hon. , MP CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER—The Rt. Hon. , MP SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS—The Rt. Hon. David Miliband, MP SECRETARY OF STATE FOR JUSTICE AND LORD CHANCELLOR—The Rt. Hon. Jack Straw, MP SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT—The Rt. Hon. Jacqui Smith, MP SECRETARY OF STATE FOR HEALTH—The Rt. Hon. Alan Johnson, MP SECRETARY OF STATE FOR BUSINESS,ENTERPRISE AND REGULATORY REFORM—The Rt. Hon. Lord Mandelson SECRETARY OF STATE FOR ENVIRONMENT,FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS—The Rt. Hon. Hilary Benn, MP SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT—The Rt. Hon. Douglas Alexander, MP SECRETARY OF STATE FOR DEFENCE—The Rt. Hon. John Hutton, MP LEADER OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS,LORD PRIVY SEAL AND MINISTER FOR WOMEN AND EQUALITY—The Rt. Hon. Harriet Harman, QC, MP SECRETARY OF STATE FOR COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT—The Rt. Hon. Hazel Blears, MP SECRETARY OF STATE FOR TRANSPORT—The Rt. Hon. Geoff Hoon, MP SECRETARY OF STATE FOR CHILDREN,SCHOOLS AND FAMILIES—The Rt. Hon. Ed Balls, MP SECRETARY OF STATE FOR ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE—The Rt. Hon. , MP SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WORK AND PENSIONS—The Rt. Hon. James Purnell, MP SECRETARY OF STATE FOR NORTHERN IRELAND—The Rt. Hon. Shaun Woodward, MP LEADER OF THE HOUSE OF LORDS AND LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL—The Rt. Hon. Baroness Royall of Blaisdon SECRETARY OF STATE FOR CULTURE,MEDIA AND SPORT—The Rt. Hon. Andy Burnham, MP SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INNOVATION,UNIVERSITIES AND SKILLS—The Rt. Hon. John Denham, MP CHIEF SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY—The Rt. Hon. Yvette Cooper, MP SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WALES—The Rt. Hon. Paul Murphy, MP SECRETARY OF STATE FOR SCOTLAND—Jim Murphy, Esq., MP

DEPARTMENTS OF STATE AND MINISTERS Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform— SECRETARY OF STATE—The Lord Mandelson MINISTERS OF STATE— The Rt. Hon. Pat McFadden, MP Gareth Thomas, Esq., MP PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARIES OF STATE— The Baroness Vadera The Lord Carter of Barnes Ian Pearson, Esq., MP Cabinet Office— MINISTER FOR THE CABINET OFFICE AND CHANCELLOR OF THE DUCHY OF LANCASTER—Liam Byrne, Esq., MP MINISTER FOR THE OLYMPICS AND PAYMASTER-GENERAL—The Rt. Hon. Tessa Jowell, MP PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARIES— Kevin Brennan, Esq., MP Tom Watson, Esq., MP The Baroness Vadera Children, Schools and Families— SECRETARY OF STATE—The Rt. Hon. Ed Balls, MP MINISTER OF STATE —Jim Knight, Esq., MP MINISTER OF STATE AND MINISTER FOR THE NORTH-WEST—The Rt. Hon. Beverley Hughes, MP PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARIES OF STATE— The Baroness Morgan of Drefelin Sarah McCarthy-Fry, MP Communities and Local Government— SECRETARY OF STATE—The Rt. Hon. Hazel Blears, MP MINISTERS OF STATE— The Rt. Hon. Margaret Beckett, MP John Healey, Esq., MP PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARIES OF STATE— The Baroness Andrews, OBE Sadiq Khan, Esq., MP Iain Wright, Esq., MP ii

Culture, Media and Sport— SECRETARY OF STATE—The Rt. Hon. Andy Burnham, MP PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARIES OF STATE— Gerry Sutcliffe, Esq., MP Barbara Follett, MP The Lord Carter of Barnes

Defence— SECRETARY OF STATE—The Rt. Hon. John Hutton, MP MINISTER OF STATE— The Rt. Hon. Bob Ainsworth, MP PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARIES OF STATE— Quentin Davies, Esq., MP Kevan Jones, Esq., MP The Rt. Hon. Baroness Taylor of Bolton

Energy and Climate Change— SECRETARY OF STATE—The Rt. Hon. Ed Miliband, MP MINISTERS OF STATE— Mike O’Brien, Esq., MP The Lord Hunt of Kings Heath PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE—Joan Ruddock, MP

Environment, Food and Rural Affairs— SECRETARY OF STATE—The Rt. Hon. Hilary Benn, MP MINISTERS OF STATE— Jane Kennedy, MP The Lord Hunt of Kings Heath PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE—Huw Irranca-Davies, Esq., MP

Foreign and Commonwealth Office— SECRETARY OF STATE—The Rt. Hon. David Miliband, MP MINISTERS OF STATE— The Rt. Hon. Caroline Flint, MP The Rt. Hon. Lord Malloch-Brown, KCMG Bill Rammell, Esq., MP PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE—Gillian Merron, MP

Government Equalities Office— MINISTER FOR WOMEN AND EQUALITY—The Rt. Hon. Harriet Harman, QC, MP PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARIES OF STATE— Barbara Follett, MP Maria Eagle, MP

Health— SECRETARY OF STATE—The Rt. Hon. Alan Johnson, MP MINISTERS OF STATE— The Rt. Hon. , MP Ben Bradshaw, Esq., MP Phil Hope, Esq., MP PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARIES OF STATE— The Lord Darzi of Denham, KBE Ann Keen, MP

Home Office— SECRETARY OF STATE—The Rt. Hon. Jacqui Smith, MP MINISTERS OF STATE— Phil Woolas, Esq., MP Vernon Coaker, Esq., MP PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARIES OF STATE— The Lord West of Spithead, GCB, DSC Meg Hillier, MP Alan Campbell, Esq., MP iii

Innovation, Universities and Skills— SECRETARY OF STATE—The Rt. Hon. John Denham, MP MINISTERS OF STATE— David Lammy, Esq., MP The Lord Drayson PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARIES OF STATE— Siôn Simon, Esq., MP The Lord Young of Norwood Green

International Development— SECRETARY OF STATE—The Rt. Hon. Douglas Alexander, MP MINISTER OF STATE—Gareth Thomas, Esq., MP PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARIES OF STATE— Ivan Lewis, Esq., MP Michael Foster, Esq., MP

Justice— SECRETARY OF STATE—The Rt. Hon. Jack Straw, MP MINISTERS OF STATE— The Rt. Hon. David Hanson, Esq., MP Michael Wills, Esq., MP PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARIES OF STATE— Bridget Prentice, MP Maria Eagle, MP The Lord Bach Shahid Malik, Esq., MP

Law Officers’ Department— ATTORNEY-GENERAL—The Rt. Hon. Baroness Scotland of Asthal, QC SOLICITOR-GENERAL—Vera Baird, QC, MP ADVOCATE-GENERAL FOR SCOTLAND—The Lord Davidson of Glen Clova, QC

Leader of the House of Commons— LEADER OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS,LORD PRIVY SEAL AND MINISTER FOR WOMEN AND EQUALITY—The Rt. Hon. Harriet Harman, QC, MP DEPUTY LEADER OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS—Chris Bryant, Esq., MP

Northern Ireland— SECRETARY OF STATE—The Rt. Hon. Shaun Woodward, MP MINISTER OF STATE—Paul Goggins, Esq., MP

Privy Council Office— LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL AND LEADER OF THE HOUSE OF LORDS—The Rt. Hon. Baroness Royall of Blaisdon

Scotland Office— SECRETARY OF STATE—Jim Murphy, Esq., MP PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE—Ann McKechin, MP

Transport— SECRETARY OF STATE—The Rt. Hon. Geoff Hoon, MP MINISTER OF STATE— The Lord Adonis PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARIES OF STATE— Jim Fitzpatrick, Esq., MP Paul Clark, Esq., MP

Treasury— PRIME MINISTER,FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY AND MINISTER FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE—The Rt. Hon. Gordon Brown, MP CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER—The Rt. Hon. Alistair Darling, MP CHIEF SECRETARY—The Rt. Hon. Yvette Cooper, MP FINANCIAL SECRETARY—The Rt. Hon. Stephen Timms, MP EXCHEQUER SECRETARY—Angela Eagle, MP ECONOMIC SECRETARY—Ian Pearson, Esq., MP PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY—The Rt. Hon. Nick Brown, MP MINISTER OF STATE—Phil Woolas, Esq., MP FINANCIAL SERVICES SECRETARY—The Lord Myners iv

LORDS COMMISSIONERS— Frank Roy, Esq., MP Steve McCabe, Esq., MP David Watts, Esq., MP Tony Cunningham, Esq., MP Bob Blizzard, Esq., MP ASSISTANT WHIPS— Ms Diana Johnson, MP Mark Tami, Esq., MP Ms Dawn Butler, MP , MP Helen Jones, MP Ian Lucas, Esq., MP Ian Austin, Esq., MP Barbara Keeley, MP Chris Mole, Esq., MP

Wales Office— SECRETARY OF STATE—The Rt. Hon. Paul Murphy, MP PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE—Wayne David, Esq., MP

Work and Pensions— SECRETARY OF STATE—The Rt. Hon. James Purnell, MP MINISTERS OF STATE— The Rt. Hon. Tony McNulty, MP The Rt. Hon. Rosie Winterton, MP PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARIES OF STATE— Jonathan Shaw, Esq., MP Kitty Ussher, MP The Lord McKenzie of Luton

Her Majesty’s Household— LORD CHAMBERLAIN—The Rt. Hon. Earl Peel, GCVO LORD STEWARD—The Duke of Abercorn, KG MASTER OF THE HORSE—The Lord Vestey LORDS IN WAITING— The Viscount Brookeborough The Lord Faringdon TREASURER AND MINISTER FOR THE NORTH-EAST OF ENGLAND—The Rt. Hon. Nick Brown, MP COMPTROLLER—The Rt. Hon. John Spellar, MP VICE-CHAMBERLAIN—, MP

Government Whips, House of Lords— CAPTAIN OF THE GENTLEMEN-AT-ARMS (CHIEF WHIP)—The Lord Bassam of Brighton CAPTAIN OF THE YEOMEN OF THE GUARD (DEPUTY CHIEF WHIP)—The Rt. Hon. Lord Davies of Oldham LORDS IN WAITING— The Lord Bach The Lord Brett The Lord Patel of Bradford The Lord Tunnicliffe The Lord Young of Norwood Green BARONESSES IN WAITING— The Baroness Farrington of Ribbleton The Baroness Thornton HOUSE OF LORDS

PRINCIPAL OFFICE HOLDERS AND STAFF LORD SPEAKER—The Rt. Hon. The Baroness Hayman CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEES—The Lord Brabazon of Tara PRINCIPAL DEPUTY CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEES—The Lord Roper CLERK OF THE PARLIAMENTS—M. G. Pownall CLERK ASSISTANT AND CLERK OF LEGISLATION—D. R. Beamish, LL.M READING CLERK AND CLERK OF THE OVERSEAS OFFICE—R. H. Walters, D.Phil GENTLEMAN USHER OF THE AND SERJEANT-AT-ARMS—Lieutenant-General Sir Michael Willcocks, KCB COUNSEL TO THE CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEES—A. Roberts; M. Thomas; P. Milledge CLERK OF THE JUDICIAL OFFICE AND REGISTRAR OF LORDS’INTERESTS—B. P. Keith CLERK OF COMMITTEES —E. C. Ollard LEGAL ADVISER TO THE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE—M. R. Hunt DIRECTOR OF INFORMATION SERVICES AND LIBRARIAN—Dr E. Hallam Smith FINANCE DIRECTOR—Dr F. P. Tudor DIRECTOR OF PARLIAMENTARY ICT SERVICE—Mrs J. Miller CLERK TO THE EU COMMITTEE—A. Makower CLERK OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE BILLS—T. V. Mohan EXAMINERS OF PETITIONS FOR PRIVATE BILLS—T. V. Mohan; D. Doig DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES—S. P. Burton CHANGE MANAGER—Mrs M. E. Ollard CLERK OF DELEGATED LEGISLATION—J. Vaughan CLERK OF THE JOURNALS—C. S. Johnson, D.Phil CLERKS OF SELECT COMMITTEES—Ms C. Salmon Percival; Ms C. K. S. K. Mawson CLERK OF THE RECORDS—Dr C. Shenton EDITOR OF THE OFFICIAL REPORT—A. S. Nicholls HEAD OF FINANCE—J. P. Smith SENIOR CLERKS—Miss A. E. Murphy; R. A. McLean, Ph.D; Miss A. L. Nelson; N. M. Besly; E. P. Lock; Miss S. E. Michell; R. R. Neal, Ph.D; D. J. Sagar; T. W. G. Wilson; M. H. Collon; W. Sinton; Mrs. K. Colvin; CLERKS—S. J. Blackburn; Miss S. L. Jones; Miss S. E Street; Mrs E Rubio; Ms J. Labeta; J. Whittle; Ms K. Meanwell; R. Whiteway; A. Willott DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC INFORMATION—Miss M. Morgan HEAD OF CATERING SERVICES—T. D. Lamming PRIVATE SECRETARY TO THE CLERK OF THE PARLIAMENTS—Ms E. Baldock, D.Phil PRIVATE SECRETARY TO THE LORD SPEAKER —Ms J. Brooke HEAD OF INTERNAL AUDIT—P. M. Thompson CLERK OF THE PRINTED PAPER OFFICE—Miss K. P. S. Kavanagh STAFF ADVISER—R. G. Durrant INTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER—Ms A. Couch HEAD OF OUTREACH—Ms L. Crompton FINANCE DEPARTMENT— DEPUTY HEADS OF FINANCE—R. Gee; Miss M. Marshall BLACK ROD’S OFFICE— YEOMAN USHER OF THE BLACK ROD AND DEPUTY SERJEANT-AT-ARMS—Brigadier H. D. C. Duncan, MBE ADMINISTRATION OFFICER—Colonel E. Lloyd-Jukes STAFF SUPERINTENDENT—Major A. M. Charlesworth, BEM PRINCIPAL DOORKEEPER—K. C. Phipps SECOND PRINCIPAL DOORKEEPER—D. P. Evans COMMITTEE OFFICE— DEPUTY LEGAL ADVISER,EUROPEAN UNION COMMITTEE—A. Ridout ASSISTANT LEGAL ADVISER,EUROPEAN UNION COMMITTEE—T. Mitchell COMMITTEE SPECIALISTS—P. Hills-Jones; Miss A. Baldaccini; O. Fox; A. Dillon; B. Nathanson; S. Seawright; S. Stoner HUMAN RESOURCES OFFICE— DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES—J. Seller HANSARD— DEPUTY EDITOR OF THE OFFICIAL REPORT—A. P. Marsh ASSISTANT AND MANAGING EDITORS OF THE OFFICIAL REPORT—J. C. Donoghue; Mrs. G. Hoffmann; J. S. Vice; M. J. Lowes; Ms E. Watterson; W. Humphreys-Jones; G. S. J. Wigmore vi

REPORTERS—Mrs. J. K. Dixon; Mrs. S. E. Hussey; L. P. Blud; Mrs. G. J. Reding; Mrs. H. M. Edwards; Mrs B. Franzmann; B. Tottle; J. O’Donoghue; Mrs C. A. Vivian; Ms L. Linchis; Mrs S. B. Delaney; S. Page; Ms S. M. White; J. R. W Nesbitt; Miss Z. C. Robinson; B. J. R.Woodhams; H. F. Ellingsen; Mrs I. Stringer; Ms C. Treanor JUDICIAL OFFICE — DEPUTY HEAD OF THE JUDICIAL OFFICE &ACTING REGISTRAR TO THE UK SUPREME COURT—Mrs L. Di Mambro JUDICIAL TAXING CLERK—I. Sewell LEGAL ASSISTANTS TO LAW LORDS—Dr J. Kinghan, Ms E. Prochaska; C. Stephen; J. Townsend LEGISLATION— COMMITTEE ADVISERS,SELECT COMMITTEE OF THE MERITS OF STATUTORY INSTRUMENTS—Mrs J. White; P. N. Bristow LIBRARY— DEPUTY LIBRARIAN—Miss I. L. Victory, Ph.D HEAD OF RESEARCH SERVICES—A. Brocklehurst; SENIOR LIBRARY CLERKS—I. S. Cruse; P. M. Vollmer; C. J. Clarke; Ms E. Shepherd LIBRARY CLERK—Mrs H. Evennett RESOURCES AND SYSTEMS LIBRARIAN—C. Ross REFERENCE SERVICES LIBRARIAN—Miss S. K. Fairweather; Mrs R. S. King RESEARCH SERVICES AND LEGAL INFORMATION LIBRARIAN—G. R. Dymond SENIOR ASSISTANT LIBRARIANS—Miss P. Ward; R. L. Anthony; Ms A. M. Reilly; A. J. Zelinger; Ms T. Preece; Miss R. A. Hardwick; Mrs. R. E. Wright; ASSISTANT LIBRARIANS—Miss T. Boström; J. Greenhead; Ms J. Davies; Miss L. Bentley PARLIAMENTARY ICT SERVICE—

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS AND MEMBER SERVICES—M. Taylor

DIRECTOR OF RESOURCES—Ms E. Honer

DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMMES &PROJECT DEVELOPMENT—R. Ware

DIRECTOR OF TECHNOLOGY—I. Montgomery

CUSTOMER SERVICES MANAGER—S. Judd

MEMBERS’COMPUTING OFFICER (LORDS)—Mrs L. Midda

TELECOMMUNICATIONS MANAGER—Miss C. Robertson PARLIAMENTARY ARCHIVES—

ASSISTANT CLERKS OF THE RECORDS—D. L. Prior, Ms F. P. Grey

RECORDS MANAGER—Ms K. Barata

ARCHIVIST—Ms M. C. Takayanagi REFRESHMENT DEPARTMENT—

CHEF—M. Thatcher

DEPUTY CHEF—M. P. Stevenson

CATERING MANAGERS—B. Lammoglia; Miss C. Sutton; A. S. Leaper; C. Hever; S. Taieb Ben Abbas

SENIOR EXECUTIVE OFFICERS—Miss C. A. Bolton; M. C. Cooper; Miss R. M. Best; Mrs C. Chipperfield; Miss S. Kunert

HIGHER EXECUTIVE OFFICERS—Miss M. P. Pieroni; N. I. Cross; G. M. Quin; C. J. Nicholls, MCIPD; O. Barreto; Mrs S. Libby; Miss E. M. Jones; M. Simpson; Mrs I. S. Bowles; M. A. Khan; Miss A. R. Stockwell; Mrs Ž. Paul; Ms R. E. Williams; N. A. Jackson; Ms M. Buck; Ms S. Whitley; Ms B. Shah; P. Langridge; P. Beresford; Ms A. Witcher; J. W. Bowyer; Miss A. Onatade

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS—S. J. Connor; Mrs S. K. Cooper; S. P. Jones; Miss S. W. Lee; R. S. Harrison; F. O. Johnson; S. Gough; M. Troke; Miss S. Conway; P. C. Goldstein; Miss A. Connelly; J. T. Rhodes; Mrs S. L. Kerr; B. K. Opuni; Miss O. J. Clear; Miss S. J. Lapidge; J. Wasley; C. Hofton; Mrs C. Hook; J. Breslin; Miss E. Judah; Mrs F. Parker; Mrs S. Rabadia; Miss F. Mahon; J. Topping; Miss K. Banerjee; P. Sargent;

CLERK OF THE CROWN IN CHANCERY—S. Chakrabarti KCB

PARLIAMENTARY SECURITY CO-ORDINATOR—P. D. Mason

SHORTHAND WRITER TO THE HOUSE—Ms J. Littlewood

DEPUTY SHORTHAND WRITER TO THE HOUSE—Mrs R. Green

DIRECTOR OF PARLIAMENTARY BROADCASTING—T. Jeffes

PARLIAMENTARY DIRECTOR OF ESTATES —M. Barlex

HEAD OF OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH SAFETY AND WELFARE SERVICES—Dr M. McDougall

HEALTH AND SAFETY MANAGER—Ms E. Cameron

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND WELFARE MANAGER—Mrs A. Mossop

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH ADVISER—Ms K. Johnstone vii

PRACTICE NURSES—Ms K. St Cyr; Ms M. Wright WELFARE OFFICER—Ms T. Harris HEAD OF SECURITY—Chief Superintendent E. Bateman POSTMASTER—M. Pearce TRAVEL OFFICE MANAGER—Ms K. White

3 December 2008

THE PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES (HANSARD)

IN THE FOURTH SESSION OF THE FIFTY-FOURTH PARLIAMENT OF THE OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND COMMENCING ON THE ELEVENTH DAY OF MAY IN THE FIFTY-FOURTH YEAR OF THE REIGN OF

HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH II

FIFTH SERIES VOLUME DCCVI

FIRST VOLUME OF SESSION 2008-9

A Bill will be brought forward to increase the House of Lords effectiveness and public accountability of policing, to reduce crime and disorder and to enhance airport Wednesday, 3 December 2008. security. My Government will also bring forward a Bill to deliver a more effective, transparent and responsive Queen’s Speech justice system for victims, witnesses and the wider public. The Bill would also improve the coroners 11.30 am service, and the process of death certification, and provide increased support for bereaved families, including the families of servicemen and women. The Queen, seated on the Throne and attended by Her A Bill will be brought forward to strengthen border Officers of State, commanded that the Gentleman Usher controls, by bringing together customs and immigration of the Black Rod should let the Commons know that it powers. The Bill would also ensure that newcomers to was Her Majesty’s pleasure that they attend Her the United Kingdom earn the right to stay. immediately in this House. My Government is committed to ensuring everyone has a fair chance in life. My Government will bring When they had come with their Speaker, Her Majesty forward a Bill to promote equality, fight discrimination was pleased to speak as follows: and introduce transparency in the workplace to help “My Lords and Members of the House of Commons, address the difference in pay between men and women. my Government’s overriding priority is to ensure the My Government will enshrine in law its commitment stability of the British economy during the global to eradicate child poverty by 2020. economic downturn. My Government is committed to helping families and businesses through difficult times. Because the health of the nation is vital to its success and well-being, a Bill will be brought forward The strength of the financial sector is vital to the to strengthen the National Health Service. The Bill future vibrancy of the economy. Therefore, legislation would create a duty to take account of the new National will continue to be taken forward to ensure fairer and Health Service Constitution that will set out the core more secure protection for bank depositors and to principles of the Service and the rights and responsibilities improve the resilience of the financial sector. of patients and staff. The Bill would also introduce My Government will also bring forward proposals measures to improve the quality of health care and to create Saving Gateway Accounts to encourage people public health. on lower incomes to save more by offering financial My Government will bring forward a Bill to reform incentives. education, training and apprenticeships, to promote My Government will bring forward legislation to excellence in all schools, to improve local services for promote local economic development and to create children and parents and to provide a right for those in greater opportunities for community and individual work to request time for training. involvement in local decision-making. My Government will continue to take forward A Bill will be brought forward to reform the welfare proposals on constitutional renewal, including system, to improve incentives for people to move from strengthening the role of Parliament and other measures. benefits into sustained employment and to provide My Government will bring forward measures to greater support, choice and control for disabled people. protect the environment for future generations. A Bill My Government is committed to protecting the will be introduced to manage marine resources and to public and ensuring the nation’s safety. create a new right of public access to the coastline. 3 Queen’s Speech[LORDS] Queen’s Speech (First Day) 4

My Government will continue to work closely with Queen’s Speech the devolved administrations in the interests of all the people of the United Kingdom. My Government is Debate (1st Day) committed to the Northern Ireland political process and will bring forward further measures for sustainable, 3.37 pm devolved government. Members of the House of Commons, estimates for The Lord Speaker (Baroness Hayman): My Lords, I the public services will be laid before you. have to acquaint the House that Her Majesty was My Lords and Members of the House of Commons, pleased this morning to make a most gracious Speech my Government will work towards European action from the Throne to both Houses of Parliament assembled on economic stability, on climate change, on energy, in the House of Lords. Copies of the gracious Speech enlargement and security. are available in the Printed Paper Office. My Government will work for a coordinated I have, for the convenience of the House, arranged international response to the global downturn, including for the terms of the gracious Speech to be published in by hosting the next G20 Summit on financial markets the Official Report. and the world economy in the United Kingdom in April next year and reforming financial institutions. Motion for an humble Address My Government will continue to work as part of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation including at its Moved by Lord Falconer of Thoroton sixtieth anniversary summit. Than an humble Address be presented to Her Majesty My Government will press for a comprehensive as follows: peace settlement in the Middle East, for continued progress in Iraq and for effective measures to address “Most Gracious Sovereign—We, Your Majesty’s concerns over Iran’s nuclear programme. most dutiful and loyal subjects, the Lords Spiritual My Government will work with the Governments and Temporal in Parliament assembled, beg leave of Afghanistan and Pakistan for security, stability and to thank YourMajesty for the most gracious Speech prosperity. which Your Majesty has addressed to both Houses The Duke of Edinburgh and I look forward to of Parliament”. receiving the President of Mexico. Other measures will be laid before you. Lord Falconer of Thoroton: My Lords, it is a great My Lords and Members of the House of Commons: personal honour to move this Motion. I am absolutely I pray that the blessing of Almighty God may rest delighted to be supported by my noble friend Lady upon your counsels”. Ford, of Cunningham, who has proved to be a strong contributing Member of your Lordships’ House. I 11.41 am personally owe her a great deal. In 2001, she became the chair of English Partnerships; she led it with force The House adjourned during pleasure. and success. English Partnerships owned the land on 3.30 pm which the Dome was built.

Prayers—read by the Lord Bishop of Chelmsford. Noble Lords: Oh!

Members of the House Lord Falconer of Thoroton: My Lords, my noble friend had the good sense to sell it. The current success It was ordered that a list of Members of the House, of the Dome, now known as the O2 Arena, owes much prepared by the Clerk of the Parliaments, be printed. to her. Before she arrived on the Dome scene, I was able to achieve what no other Minister in government, Death of a Member before or since, has achieved—namely, to have every single national newspaper call for my resignation on Announcement the same day. I waited patiently for the storm to pass; 10 days later, the Daily Star started its leader column 3.36 pm with the words: The Lord Speaker (Baroness Hayman): My Lords, I “Lord Falconer should not resign”. regret that I have to inform the House of the death on It was a Brownesque comeback, you might think—but 30 November of the noble Lord, Lord Rees. On behalf no; it went on: of the whole House, I extend our condolences to his “Lord Fatty should be placed on the top of the Dome and they family and friends. should both be burnt to a cinder”. Like politics today, things that start well can very Select Vestries Bill quickly go sour. The gracious Speech recognises that overshadowing all our deliberations in the next Session First Reading will be the economic crisis. The Government have, I believe, been clear-eyed and decisive in the moves that 3.37 pm they have taken to rescue the banking system. The gracious Speech focuses on helping families and businesses The Bill was read a first time pro forma. through difficult times, improving the resilience of the 5 Queen’s Speech (First Day)[3 DECEMBER 2008] Queen’s Speech (First Day) 6 financial sector, including improving banking practice, Ashton of Upholland, who feels, understandably, that promoting local economic development and reforming after a year of leading your Lordships, leading the the welfare system. These are the right priorities, which disparate peoples of Europe will be a breeze. I fear will contribute to our recovery and provide long-term that her conspicuous talents will ensure that she is reform. I greatly welcome a stronger voice for the away from us for five years rather than one. The noble tenant and the focus on regional economic development. Lord’s cares are alleviated by the promotion to the As the chair of a south London and south of England Liberal Democrats Whips’ Office of the noble Baroness, housing association and of the Newcastle and Gateshead Lady Garden, who has made such a significant mark City Development Company, I know the importance on the House, making it one where success has become of both these issues. I formally declare an interest as a family business—there is something of a tradition of chair of AmicusHorizon housing association and the that here. Newcastle and Gateshead City Development Company. My noble friends Lady Royall and Lord Bassam I profoundly hope that the coroners and death are two of the most popular figures in the House, both certification Bill will improve the lot of victims and disdainful of oratorical flourishes. Never, however, their families, in particular the families of the victims underestimate the political acumen of this team. They of murder and manslaughter. All too often, the families have the most powerful commodities in politics: trust and partners of murder and manslaughter victims and friendship. I predict that they will be with us for suffer twice. First, there is their appalling loss. Our many years to come in their leadership roles. state systems are initially sympathetic, but then the They are joined by my noble friend Lord Mandelson, justice system, the health system and sometimes the a man born for your Lordships’ House, entering the Foreign Office when the crime occurs abroad, are unashamedly guacamole period of his political life. often insensitive to the needs of those families. My noble friend is above all a man of talent, originality Organisations such as the North of England Victims’ and political courage. For all of us, and for your Association, which offers support after murder and Lordships’ House, it is “back to the future” in so many manslaughter and support after murder and manslaughter ways: to 2001, when my noble friend was last in the abroad, provide without fuss, funding or credit a Government, and to 1895, when last a Prime Minister, degree of support for these victims, which they seldom the biggest box-office draw in government, was in see from the state, except from the family liaison your Lordships’ House. officers provided by the police. There is also a departure. My noble friend Lord We in this House can contribute much to the Grocott is sadly no longer Chief Whip. Happily, he development of the programme outlined in the gracious has decided to stay among his people in Telford. What Speech, as we proved in the previous Session. There little time off he has from soliciting their views he was the Pensions Bill when this House persuaded the spends with us, and we are grateful for that. My noble Government to introduce greater gender equity into friend’s part in the past decade will only be known the Bill; the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill when history comes to be written. Those noble Lords where the debates in the House were of the highest who thought that the Labour Government have made quality; and the Planning Bill, when the Government, mistakes should have seen the ones we would have strongly supported by heavyweights on our Benches, made had my noble friend Lord Grocott not been persuaded the House that the Government’s proposed there. How often he would take me to one side when I scheme was right, but at the same time they accepted was in government and say, in the friendliest way significant amendments proposed by the House. possible—usually about Lords reform proposals— In her maiden speech, the noble Baroness, Lady “Strewth, Charlie, where do you think the Ministry of Manningham-Buller, demonstrated how less is more. Justice gets these mad ideas from?”. I do not know if It took her three minutes to shake and then stir the he noticed my face reddening. Government to stop dead in its tracks the 42-day Over the past year, your Lordships’ House has pre-charge detention proposal. The strength of this owed much to the noble Baroness, Lady Hayman, the House continues only as long as the quality of our Lord Speaker. She has, with patience and skill, and contribution and the reliability of our judgments remain often in the face of sharp-elbowed politicians, found a as high as they are now. New entrants, such as the place for herself, frequently providing leadership on a noble Baroness, Lady Manningham-Buller, the noble range of issues without impinging on your Lordships’ Lords, Lord Pannick and Lord Judge, and my noble desire for self-regulation. Our influence as a House friends Lord Myners and Lord Mandelson suggest a depends on the quality of what we do. To have as our continuing supply of very high octane fuel for many Lord Speaker a person whose values reflect the best of years to come. this House makes us, both inside and outside, However, I should say that the existing fuel stocks immeasurably stronger. are still pretty powerful. There is the ever-youthful In the forthcoming political season, above all else, noble Lord, Lord Strathclyde, possibly suffering from leadership is required. The United States of America anorexia, whose jokes keep getting better and better. has been much derided by the world for its inwardness In the dark times to come, when all other sources of and failure to understand the cultural sensitivities of humour fail, he can rally our spirits by reminding us of different places but its people have, in the past month, his support for a fully elected House. The noble Lord, elected a leader who is of a different ethnic group from Lord McNally, as incisive as ever, is, sadly, increasingly 80 per cent of them. In the course of the campaign, his an isolated figure. He was cruelly abandoned by his wife was abused, he was called a terrorist, his friends co-conspirator from St Albans, my noble friend Lady and his preacher were vilified, his aunt was exposed as 7 Queen’s Speech (First Day)[LORDS] Queen’s Speech (First Day) 8

[LORD FALCONER OF THOROTON] Scotland—was the number of Roman Catholics and an illegal immigrant and the de facto leader of his Protestants in the jail. I soaked up all the information. political party pointed out that he was black. His When we toured the canteen, I noticed a large blackboard dignity and calm in the face of that remorseless attack high on the wall. It said, “RC 344 and P 227”. Brimming smack of real leadership. with enthusiasm, I said to the governor, “How odd, In the UK, we have a Government who are prepared for everyone knows that there are more Protestants to put their own survival at stake to do everything than Catholics in Barlinnie”. “Don’t be so stupid”, he required to beat the recession. Whatever else new said, “that stands for rice crispies and porridge”. An Labour is about, it is about putting the sensible and important learning point is to study your brief, but not fair management of the economy above other to try to show off—advice I have tried to put into considerations. Times are difficult. Our role is to challenge, practice ever since, particularly in your Lordships’ to provide ideas, to amend and to improve. However, it House. Almost exactly the same advice was given to is also to support, to assist and to contribute in a time me by the then Chief Whip, the noble Lord, Lord of national crisis. Grocott, who also explained that your Lordships’ We have much work to do in the coming session. House was a self-motivating place: the more work one Never has there been a time when insight and quality put in, the more satisfaction would be derived from mattered as much as they do now. We must play our membership. role. We can do so confident that, as the gracious Since coming here, I have had the pleasure of working Speech shows, we have a Government who are willing with many noble Lords, particularly in the previous to lead. I beg to move the Motion that an humble Session on the then housing and planning Bills. I am Address be presented to Her Majesty. sure that noble Lords will forgive me for singling out the noble Baroness, Lady Andrews, who is such a 3.49 pm diligent and delightful colleague and whose expertise Baroness Ford: My Lords, I beg to second my noble in guiding both Bills led to many improvements in that and learned friend’s Motion for an humble Address. It most important legislation. This House is rich in expertise is a great honour and privilege to be asked to do so, and in experience. It is this combination that seems to and especially to follow him, with whom I had the me so formidable and so important to preserve. pleasure of working when he was an outstanding I also pay tribute to the work of the noble Baroness, Planning and Housing Minister. Therefore, I am used Lady Royall of Blaisdon, the Leader of the House. to following in his footsteps, or possibly trailing in his She is new to that role, but not to the Front Bench, and wake for he is a very fast mover, as we all know. In has brought to it her unique combination of steely fact, on reflection, I think that the very best way to resolve and genuine charm. She will be an outstanding follow him is probably on his shirt-tails because they Leader of the House, of that I am sure. Alongside her are nearly always in evidence. on the Front Bench is the new Chief Whip, the noble My noble and learned friend interviewed me for the Lord, Lord Bassam, who was resplendent earlier today position of chairman of English Partnerships. It was in his uniform as the Captain of the Honourable an interesting experience. I can now easily imagine Corps of the Gentlemen-at-Arms. He fills the shoes of being on trial for murder. We spent many happy hours the noble Lord, Lord Grocott, and the noble Baroness, selling the Millennium Dome and when he was then Lady Royall, who are difficult acts to follow, but shuffled to the Home Office, he was replaced by my already he has developed a most beguiling approach. right honourable friend John Prescott. Some girls have He never appears to pressure but instantly has commanded all the luck. It was suggested to me that I had swapped loyalty. However, I am, of course, still new enough to the Lord High Executioner for the Ancient Mariner. I be pathetically compliant. enjoyed chairing English Partnerships immensely and had the pleasure of working with many noble Lords I, of course, consider myself a mere apprentice. I across the House on important projects. As the new have made the usual raft of mistakes, for which the Homes and Communities Agency vests this week, I House has gently chided me. I have bobbed up at the am proud of the legacy that English Partnerships left wrong time, crossed the wrong piece of Floor and in the renewal of so many communities. If I might almost ventured down the wrong Lobby. On each single out one achievement, it would be the remediation occasion, I was put right in the most courteous but of the English coalfield, where in so many places now firm manner. Let me tell you; nothing quite compares the number of jobs above ground far exceeds those to inadvertently promoting yourself to the Bishops’ employed in the pit even at the height of the industry. Bench. The right reverend Prelate knows what is coming. It is the most comprehensive regeneration programme I was sitting minding my own business late one evening ever undertaken in the United Kingdom and it was when my error became manifest when the right reverend championed with great energy by my right honourable Prelate, who will remain nameless, sat down beside me. friend John Prescott. I immediately realised my error and apologised. He leant over and said conspiratorially, “You will find on I have worked with many noble Lords over the this Bench that if you wear a Laura Ashley nightdress years. The noble Lord, Lord Lang of Monkton, who I you will fit in a lot better”. am glad to see in his place, appointed me to the Scottish Prison Service more than 20 years ago, where Apprenticeships are important rites of passage, whether I served my apprenticeship as a non-executive director. in this House or in the wider world. I am really I learnt a lot. My first visit was to Barlinnie prison in delighted that the issue of apprenticeship has been Glasgow, and I studied my brief assiduously. One of placed right at the heart of the gracious Speech. I the first points in the brief—this being the west of sincerely hope that the legislation that emerges makes 9 Queen’s Speech (First Day)[3 DECEMBER 2008] Queen’s Speech (First Day) 10 it far easier for both employers and potential apprentices excellent speeches. The noble and learned Lord, Lord to get together and train a new generation for the Falconer of Thoroton, made a typically elegant speech. challenges of the modern world. Over the years, we He did so this time out of some pretty thin gruel, given have made apprenticeship, which ought to be a the size of the gracious Speech. He spoke as a man straightforward contract, needlessly complicated. Let free of the cares of office and clearly enjoying it. But us simplify it. University education is hugely important, you never know, this could have been the great comeback but that route is simply not for everyone, and we need speech. After all, in this day and age, you can be to place again a genuine premium on the value of a cruising on a luxury yacht off a Greek island one day, good-quality apprenticeship. only to discover that switch at No. 10 has got your I grew up in the west of Scotland, and my title is number. The noble and learned Lord’s support for the taken from Cunninghame, the ancient name for North former Prime Minister, Mr Blair, will do him no harm Ayrshire, the area where I was born, brought up and either. We have always seen the noble and learned educated. Generations of my family have prospered Lord as a Blairite down to the pancetta and eggs there in trade, in commerce and in education. My baveuse for breakfast back in the old flat. grandmother was a pupil teacher throughout the Great Over the years we of course grew to know and War and kept many village schools going, and my acknowledge his ability to argue a case for the mother was an eminent head teacher. My father and preposterous—like abolishing the great office he had his before him were engineers, and my father trained just taken on, or even limiting the right to trial by jury. scores of apprentices throughout his career in the He should be careful, though, because his skills are nuclear power industry. He built many nuclear power much needed: a Cabinet role putting the preposterous stations; that might be back in fashion soon. case that the Prime Minister had nothing to do with I did not come to your Lordships’ House via a the recession might indeed be tailor-made for the traditional political route, because my career has largely noble and learned Lord. been made in business and in finance. I have voluntarily The noble Baroness, Lady Ford, does not need to worked in social housing and regeneration for most of nurture a hope of a coming back, because it is clear my adult life. Those are my passions, because the kind from her contribution today that the only direction in of environment where children grow up profoundly which she is coming is forwards. The noble Baroness affects their self-worth and their aspiration. A decent spoke with warmth and humour, which are qualities home is the most basic building block of all. that this House much admires. The House has already I have the privilege of chairing the Irvine Bay taken to her manner and good sense, and she underlined Regeneration Company, which focuses on the economic that today. And should we be surprised, given that, renewal of the area where I grew up and where I have like me she is a native of the finest county in the returned to live. Battered by the recession of the early British Isles—the noble soil of Ayrshire? As far as I 1980s, we have never recovered the levels of very high can see, the more Scots who play a part in English employment that the area boasted right up until that Partnerships, the more that is to be admired. time, when really seismic shifts in the world economy This is the 12th gracious Speech since the 1997 meant that textiles, shipbuilding and chemicals, which election. The next would be the 13th—unlucky for our were major sources of employment in our area, closed country, which after a decade of debt-fuelled boom is down. Twenty-five years later, we still continue to now completely and utterly bust. The gracious Speech, work really hard to attract new industries and new like the pre-Budget Statement, both copiously leaked employment to our towns. to the press, incidentally, is all about the short-term But Ayrshire is a resilient place; it is a gorgeous prospects of the Prime Minister and not the long-term county and of course it is the home of Robert Burns. future of the country. The Government are embarked We know how to enjoy ourselves, and we love to on a race against being rumbled. When I see a speech laugh. Our humour can be particularly surreal. I recall like this, I do not expect a long Session. When we hear sitting on the train from Glasgow, which was headed a nationalised bank being ordered to stop repossessions for Ardrossan to meet the Belfast ferry.A greyhound—an for six months, many will conclude that the cunning especially frisky greyhound—was put into the freight plan is this: repossessions in June, elections in May; van and, at a station near Ardrossan, the dog escaped tax rises next year, tax cuts today. They must think and bounded along the platform. The guard then ran that the British people are very simple indeed. But I after it the whole way down the platform, hollering the must signal to the noble Baroness that if the Government immortal words, “Stop that dog, it’s a parcel!”. call an early election, they cannot count on our letting these Bills into law without scrutiny. We made that mistake before with the Gambling Act. What followed Motion to Adjourn was the scandal of trying to regenerate poverty by Moved by Lord Strathclyde building casinos. We will not go there twice. Will the noble Baroness the Leader of the House That this debate be adjourned until tomorrow. confirm the total number of Bills? Given the tight timetable, a balanced programme is vital. We have much work to do on the Banking Bill over the next few 3.58 pm weeks, regarding which we have already agreed to Lord Strathclyde: My Lords, I am delighted to co-operate on timing. Will the noble Baroness say move that this debate be adjourned until tomorrow. In what other Bills will start in your Lordships’ House? doing so, it is my welcome duty to congratulate the Will they include the marine Bill, on which there is a mover and seconder of the main Motion on their most great expertise in this Chamber? 11 Queen’s Speech (First Day)[LORDS] Queen’s Speech (First Day) 12

[LORD STRATHCLYDE] office here? Who would be told? I should like to think The gracious Speech was Delphic on constitutional that the House’s authorities would not so lightly have renewal. Some of us, like the drunk at midnight, feel allowed such an invasion of this House to occur. Will that we have had one-too-many constitutional renewals the noble Baroness, when she responds, give the House lately and are a little under the weather as a result. assurances on this, perhaps by undertaking to bring a Indeed, it is with great sadness that I reflect that this paper to the Committee for Privileges laying out what may be the last Session in which the Law Lords will be safeguards Members of this House should expect? Members of this House. We have benefited from their Of course, there are things in the Speech with which advice since time immemorial. The costs of building we agree. Many seem to have been borrowed from our and running an unnecessary Supreme Court and own policy papers. Of those that were not, a savings replacement courts are making their contribution to gateway is fine, but is not the sadness that under this the doubling national debt. If this folly is not stopped—I Government savings have vanished? Too little, too suspect it will not be—it would be wrong to let this late, my Lords. Reform of welfare is something that occasion pass without an expression of the deepest we have been advocating for years. It would have been gratitude for the role of the justices and Law Lords achieved long ago if the Prime Minister had not over so many centuries in making this Chamber what plunged his dagger into the back of Mr Frank Field. it is. Will the noble Baroness say whether there will be However, it is hardly a propitious time to force disabled a constitutional renewal Bill? To keep the noble and people into a jobs market which is contracting faster learned Lord, Lord Falconer, happy, will she confirm than at any time in recent memory. If only, as in so that the Government will be supporting no more many things, this Government had done the right proposals this Session that affect this House or its thing as the sun was shining, we would not be in the composition? same mess today. There is a related issue that should concern your Can the noble Baroness say whether reports are Lordships, which is the privileges of your Lordships’ true that the Government intend powers to stop people House. I must say bluntly that this House is being in the street and ask them for their ID cards? I warn taken for granted far too much. At the end of the last her that this House will be very sceptical of that. Can Session, as powerfully expressed by my noble friend it be true that there are yet more Home Office and Lord Jenkin of Roding, privilege was cited to block justice Bills, while in the real world violent crime Lords amendments in the most tenuous of circumstances. continues to rise? We hear that there will be another Long ago, in 1702, this House found itself on the education Bill and another health Bill. Will we be receiving end of a practice known as tacking, whereby better taught and better cared for as a result? I doubt it. non-financial matters were attached to Finance Bills That this is a shorter Speech is welcome but, even to to stop your Lordships’ amending them. YourLordships’ this Government’s dying day, Ministers do not clock forebears were wise enough to pass a resolution—still the basic fact that government is about far more than our Standing Order 53—declaring that this practice passing laws. The whole Speech—as mentioned by the was unparliamentary and tended to the destruction of noble and learned Lord, Lord Falconer, although he constitutional government. The resolve of this House came to a different conclusion from mine—is was effective and tacking stopped. If privilege is cited overshadowed by the disastrous results of the where none really exists, we may need to renew that mismanagement of our economy. On this occasion in resolution of 1702. 1997, Lord Jenkins of Hillhead said, with his customary Then there are other matters: the packaging of modesty, that the new Labour Government had inherited unrelated Lords amendments in the other place, which a stronger economic legacy than any Government of still continues; and the ignoring of recommendations modern times, except of course the one that succeeded of your Lordships’ Delegated Powers and Merits Lord Jenkins’ tenure of No. 11. Not even the noble Committees, and the exclusion of your Lordships Lord, Lord Mandelson, would try that one today. The from any say in certain regulations. There is a pattern claim that it is all the fault of foreigners would not of if not contempt then certainly carelessness. Now, convince Alf Garnett at his most jingoistic. The idea we have the heavy-handed arrest of a Front-Bench that Britain, with its homemade manufacturing recession opposition spokesman, who published facts that Ministers and its ransacked capacity to sustain public spending, wanted to cover up, and the invasion of police to rifle is in a better state to face global problems is a cloud- through the private records of a parliamentarian’s cuckoo-land. office without even a warrant. I saw comments made There is a sense of utter detachment from reality in earlier by a Cabinet Minister in which he made the spin that world leaders are gagging to touch the insinuations about a threat to national security. What hem of the Prime Minister and that he can puff tosh, my Lords. This was simply bad news that Labour himself up as a saviour of the world when people here Ministers wanted buried. are losing homes, jobs, savings and pensions. The As long ago as 1626, this House, in the Earl of failure to accept any responsibility or to offer any Arundel’s case, held that no parliamentarian could be apology for boom and bust can only spread cynicism arrested by the Executive to prevent him going about about politics today. his parliamentary business. Peers on both sides of the Nothing in the gracious Speech can or will repair House—on all sides, indeed—have said that they are the damage done by the Government’s policies since concerned at how this threat may affect their duties if 1997. The harsh reality is that nothing will avert the they are sent undisclosed information. Can the noble fact that Britain, with public and personal debt Baroness, who serves us all on these matters, help us? mushrooming and future taxes and liabilities piled What would happen if a request came in to raid an selfishly on our children, faces the worst economic 13 Queen’s Speech (First Day)[3 DECEMBER 2008] Queen’s Speech (First Day) 14 legacy left by any Government. It is a nightmare Let me explain what I mean. If you go down to the cocktail of a plunging pound, mass redundancies, Terrace of the House of Commons and stand opposite business bankruptcies, and lording over us all, an St Thomas’s Hospital just as Big Ben is about to arrogant bureaucracy that is high on privilege and chime, you hear first the sound of Big Ben, then a utterly divorced from the problems of the high street, delay and then a boing from across the river. unemployment, repossessions, vanishing pensions and Earlier this year, the Prime Minister said that he savings, and record regulation and tax. had cured boom and bust. Dr Vince Cable said that Was it for that that they thronged so eagerly to the you could not build an economy on runaway debt and Bar to hear that first gracious Speech when Labour a housing price bubble. Boing—a little while later, the was new? Let them bring on the election that the Prime Minister is reaching for the biography of Keynes Speech prefigures. We are ready. The sooner a new written by the noble Lord, Lord Skidelsky. The Prime Government can get to work to repair the damage Minister says that there is no case for nationalising done by this one, the better. I beg to move that this Northern Rock. Dr Vince Cable says that that is the debate be adjourned until tomorrow. only way—boing—and Northern Rock is in public ownership. The Prime Minister derides the Liberal 4.12 pm Democrats earlier in the summer when they call for tax cuts for middle-income and low-income families— Lord McNally: My Lords, it is a real honour for me boing—and by the autumn we are all tax cutters. If to second that proposition and to open the Queen’s you really want to know what the Government are Speech debate from these Benches. I know that within likely to do next, listen to the Liberal Democrats and the next few days the galaxy of talent at my disposal wait for the boing. will be using its experience and expertise to comment The Government have recently strengthened their on the details of the gracious Speech. economics team by two star signings. First, there is the My first task is to pay tribute to the mover and noble Lord, Lord Myners. The House is equally divided seconder of the Loyal Address. Let me say first to the about the noble Lord. Half is dazzled that he seems to noble Baroness, Lady Ford, that she has an impressive know every detail of government economic policy record in both business and public service. One of the without any reference to a briefing book, while the internet biographies that I consulted listed her skills other half suspects that he is making it up as he goes simply as “management”. She has certainly managed along. Then there is the noble Lord, Lord Mandelson, her task today with skill, humour and eloquence. of Hartlepool and Foy. Each day, like other noble Given her long-standing concern for the need for a Lords, I get a digest of press cuttings about the House vigorous and imaginative housing policy, I wonder of Lords from the Library. Until a few months ago, it that she does not share my surprise that the words was slim—a few pages recording Peers supporting a “housing” and “homelessness” do not appear anywhere worthy cause here or a campaign there, or the occasional in the gracious Speech. Surely keeping people who are sensational headline, such as “Baroness Kennedy to under threat of eviction in their homes and providing vote with the Government”—but now the press brief new supplies of social housing for those in need must thuds on to my desk with page after page about what be a priority in the coming year. I declare my interest Peter did and what Peter did next. One day he is as a vice-president of Shelter. As I have reminded the Mephistopheles, the next day he is John Travolta. So House in the past, 40 years after she disturbed the many stories, so many headlines, and I am told that conscience of the nation, Cathy has not yet come home. some of them are even true. Secondly, I must say what a pleasure it was to see I have no complaint about the Government sending that Beau Brummell of Lord Chancellors, the noble big beasts into our Chamber, but I regret the lack of and learned Lord, Lord Falconer, back in the front any mention in the gracious Speech of any further line. I confess that I had a certain concern about his reform of this House. It was 100 years ago last Monday employability after his departure from office. I note that this House rejected Lloyd George’s people’s Budget that he has reinvented himself as an expert in litigation and paved the way for the first attempt to reform the likely to arise from the credit crunch. He recently House of Lords. predicted a boom in post-credit-crunch litigation, which, in his words, will be on a scale that we have not seen before. As we used to say in Lancashire when I was a A noble Lord: Boing. lad, “If he fell in the Co-op he’d come out with the divi”. Lord McNally: I think that I am going to regret Whatever the prospects for lawyers, things are not that, my Lords. It is better when you are doing it on going well for economists. I saw the noble Lord, Lord your own. Peston, in the Corridor the other day.He was complaining One of the most spirited warnings to the Tory Peers that, in spite of being a professor of economics, a about the follies of their ways came from the then former adviser to government and a member of the Archbishop of York—so that is a tradition that is alive economics committee of this House, the only question and well. As we are moving towards the centenary of that he gets asked these days is, “Are you Robert that House of Lords reform, I sincerely hope that we Peston’s dad?”. will have an exhibition and other reminders of that Although my degree is in economics, I have never great piece of radical legislation. The absence of a hint claimed to be an economist. However, I have detected of reform to this House in the gracious Speech is an from the Government in recent months what I would opportunity missed unless—perhaps the Lord President call the boing effect in determining economic policy. can explain—the references to constitutional renewal 15 Queen’s Speech (First Day)[LORDS] Queen’s Speech (First Day) 16

[LORD MCNALLY] 4.23 pm and strengthening the role of Parliament include reform of this House. I am sorry if they do not, because I The Lord President of the Council (Baroness Royall have enjoyed going into battle shoulder to shoulder of Blaisdon): My Lords, it is indeed a huge pleasure with the noble Lord, Lord Strathclyde, on those matters. and privilege for me to follow the noble Lords, Lord I hope that that helps, Tom. Some of the protestations Strathclyde and Lord McNally, two Peers who, with of the noble Lord, Lord Strathclyde, about the vigour their great experience and wisdom, are remarkable of opposition would ring a little more true if the leaders for their parties in this House and, beyond Conservative voting record in the Lobby matched that that, for the House as a whole. In my short time so far of the Liberal Democrats. as Leader of the House, I have already learnt enormously from them and plan to go on drawing on their abilities It is true that the public in the main approve of the for free for as long as they will allow me. work of this House, but I must say to the noble Lord, I was struck yet again last week, as we carried out Lord Falconer, that there is no softer option in the ceremony to prorogue Parliament, by the disparity speechmaking than telling this House how wonderful between the noble Lord, Lord McNally, and the noble it is. If there is no immediate prospect of change, the Lord, Lord Strathclyde. For those who, unaccountably, reputation of this House will suffer. During the past missed it, at one point, the presence in the Chamber of 10 years, more than 300 Peers have been created. Most the members of the royal commission for prorogation of them have made excellent contributions, but during is indicated by their full names being read out. So we the next year that intake will be getting older and not had McNally, Tom for the one and Strathclyde, Thomas retiring. The result could well be a House more than Galloway Dunlop du Roy de Blicquy Galbraith, for 800-strong, with half its Members making little or no the other. Tom though he may be to each of us here, contribution to the work. That will make us fall into the noble Lord, Lord McNally, has always seemed to disrepute. If the Government refuse to do anything, I me to be a touch under-endowed with names, while encourage my noble friends Lords Steel, Oakeshott the noble Lord, Lord Strathclyde, seems to be very and Avebury to persevere with their Private Members’ generously provided for. That may be the difference Bills on Lords reform. Indeed, I understand that my between the Liberal Democrats and the Conservative noble friend Lord Steel has already submitted his Bill Party. to the Public Bill Office. It is a huge and humbling privilege for me to serve I referred just now to the commitment in the gracious the whole of your Lordships’ House as Leader. I have Speech to the strengthening of the role of Parliament. a list of distinguished predecessors to live up to—a list Such a commitment jars on a day when another place a good deal longer than my arm—and I intend to do has been discussing parliamentary privilege. I associate my best to follow in their footsteps. My job is to serve myself with the call of the noble Lord, Lord Strathclyde, the House—a job that I will fulfil to the maximum of for a report from the Clerk of the Parliaments about my ability. how the issues raised affect the rights, protections and privileges as they apply to Members of the House of I am proud to be the Leader of your Lordships’ Lords. I must say, when I hear the noble Lord, Lord House, and I think that this House and the people in Strathclyde, bandying about precedents from 1625 it—the Members on all sides of the Chamber—are a and so on, how I miss Conrad Russell. Conrad would huge credit to themselves, to their parties or lack of have known the precedent instantly. them, to Parliament and to our country and our democracy.The work that this House does is tremendous. Parliamentary privilege aside, this is surely the moment I think of the debates that we have had recently—the to introduce the long-promised Civil Service Bill, for economic debate that we had a couple of weeks ago which the noble Lord, Lord Sheldon, and I have long being only the latest example—and I believe that the campaigned. Such an Act would give statutory protection quality of argument, the depth of experience and the to civil servants who are genuine whistleblowers and at extent of the wisdom and judgment demonstrated are the same time set out clear responsibilities, including a testament to this House and to our bicameral system. duties of confidentiality, for those who work in the I pay tribute to all those who make this Chamber as public service. The independence and neutrality of the good as it unquestionably is. I am proud, too, to lead Civil Service and parliamentary privilege are both those on the government Benches here, and I pay issues that transcend party politics. Indeed, parliamentary tribute to the ministerial team—Ministers and Whips privilege was won by blood and should not be surrendered alike—who strive to serve this House and the country lightly in a parliamentary democracy. beyond this House. I said in opening that my colleagues will deal in At the end of a Session that saw her so successfully detail with our attitudes to the proposals in the gracious take the European Union (Amendment) Bill through Speech during the next few days, so let me close with a this House, I thank my predecessor as Leader, my final thought. In a time of recession, it would be easy noble friend Lady Ashton of Upholland, and I wish to slip into fractious bitterness, which, in turn, would her well in her new role as the UK’s European play into the hands of extremists in our society. This Commissioner in Brussels. I pay special tribute both House is particularly well qualified to examine the to my successor as Chief Whip, my noble friend Lord proposals before us with rigour, while at the same time Bassam of Brighton, and to my predecessor as Chief reminding ourselves and the country of the values that Whip, my noble friend Lord Grocott. To be sandwiched unite us in the tough times that we face. That will between people of such ability is both a delight and a certainly be the mindset on these Benches as we approach huge challenge that is beyond even Pret a Manger. I this gracious Speech and the work of the year ahead. also thank two ministerial colleagues who chose to 17 Queen’s Speech (First Day)[3 DECEMBER 2008] Queen’s Speech (First Day) 18 step down at the reshuffle—my noble friends Lord While obviously from these accounts his eloquence Rooker and Lady Crawley. We on these Benches owe is clearly widely unknown on doorsteps the length and them a huge debt, and I know that the whole House breadth of Britain, in this place the opposite is the thanks them for what they have done in this House as case. The wonderful website, theyworkforyou.com, which a whole. specifies in providing painstakingly and often painful details on all our appearances and interventions in I am genuinely delighted to congratulate my noble this House, lists my noble and learned friend an and learned friend Lord Falconer of Thoroton on astonishing 4,600 mentions in this House, which in moving the Motion on the gracious Speech. This itself is a daunting figure. That is all the more so when House is, of course, used to hearing him both as a you take into account that it covers only the period Minister in the Government and as a much respected from January 2001 to now and that the website includes and, indeed, much loved Lord Chancellor. Most Ministers a maximum of 5,000 entries in order to conserve spend a good deal of their time strengthening and, memory—a conservation limit that my noble and indeed, trying to expand their ministerial role; very learned friend is clearly stretching. Worst of all, as few try to diminish it. Absolutely no one, other than many as 2,079 of those entries are my noble and my noble and learned friend, has put so much effort, learned friend talking. Astoundingly, against this skill and intelligence into a wholesale dismemberment impressive record, he has managed to find a new form of his own job. of words to inform, enlighten and entertain us today. I Although we in this House have tended to hear him am enormously grateful to him for proposing our taking a Bill through the Chamber or replying to a thanks to Her Majesty for the gracious Speech. debate, it is one of the oddities of ministerial life that My noble and learned friend has set out on a new the broader speeches, which are one of a Minister’s career path since leaving office, although of course he stock in trade, are pretty well uniformly made outside is still within the legal profession. Indeed, he regularly the Chambers of Parliament—at political and other excites legal journalists by forecasting, to calls of conferences. We have therefore been privileged in this “Shush”from assembled lawyers, that there will inevitably House today to have been given a glimpse of what be lots of business for legal firms from the remaking of others outside this House have seen many times: a key economic institutions. Clearly, capitalism may come marvellous speech full of wit, erudition, argument, and go, but lawyers go on for ever. and even—although I am sure I am woefully mistaken—a tiny spot of criticism. Members across the House have What has been happening in the financial sector their differences. There are sometimes differences even was also obviously of central concern for our seconder. on these Benches, but after they happen we unite and I am deeply grateful to my noble friend Lady Ford for move on. That is what we on these Benches have her impressive and immensely enjoyable speech seconding always done, and that is what we will continue to do the Motion. Traditionally, the seconder of this Motion together, as we have seen today. makes a lighthearted speech while the mover makes a policy speech in support of the Government’s programme. My noble and learned friend’s skills in making Just as the likelihood of my noble and learned friend speeches are very well known, at least in this House; Lord Falconer of Thoroton not slipping the odd joke perhaps they are a touch less well known outside the into his speech seemed remote, the likelihood of my Chamber. On one occasion, when campaigning for the noble friend Lady Ford, with her extensive, practical, Labour Party during the previous election, he arrived day-to-day experience of banking and the financial at the venue for his speech. The venue was not quite as markets, not mixing humour with a focus on the bejewelled as your Lordships’ Chamber; it was a room current economic position, also seemed low. I am above a pub in Bury. When the gathered crowd, if that grateful to both of them for exploiting our conventions is not too strong a word for the good handful of so enlighteningly. people clustered there waiting for the evening’s political entertainment to begin, was informed that they had a As your Lordships have so obviously seen when I special treat tonight—sandwiches and chips; oh, and have repeated the Prime Minister’s Statements on the the Lord Chancellor—my noble and learned friend current economic position, I yield to pretty well everyone was not to be deterred. in my knowledge and experience of the economy, although I am trying very hard. But I especially yield On another constituency visit, he was warned ahead to my noble friend Lady Ford. Most of us in this of knocking on the door of a particular house that the House have mainly just looked upon the turmoil in the resident in question was a man of firm views who had, markets over the past few months and have been glued for a number of reasons, been protesting about proposed to the coverage, but view it through the prism of being changes and had recently changed his name by deed mostly outsiders looking in. My noble friend is different. poll to Status Quo. My noble and learned friend was When not engaged in her extensive activities in this not put off for one second. Bounding up to the door, House and beyond, she works in the capital markets he said, “Good evening, Mr Quo”, adding, in that and her perspective and insights have informed the spirit of uncrushable friendliness that we all know so speech she has made this afternoon. well, “May I call you Status?”. But the electorate, as always, had the final say. On a further, and no doubt For me, it is particularly important and impressive equally successful, campaigning visit, he knocked at that her success and her perspective is rooted in the someone’s door. When it was opened, he said, “Good democratic socialist values that we share. Naming morning, madam, I am the Lord Chancellor”, to one’s sources for anecdotes in speeches is usually not which the doughty householder replied, “And I am the the done thing, but I shall now do exactly that in Queen of Sheba. Now, off”. relation to my noble friend. Recently, I had the pleasure 19 Queen’s Speech (First Day)[LORDS] Queen’s Speech (First Day) 20

[BARONESS ROYALL OF BLAISDON] seven senior Members of another place to report on of a conversation with her daughter. We began to them. In response to the request made by both the touch on women’s achievements and with that, sadly noble Lords, Lord Strathclyde and Lord McNally, I no doubt, on the concomitant issue of the limits can tell them and indeed the whole House that I have placed on such achievements—glass ceilings and so already asked the House authorities to prepare a report on. My noble friend’s daughter opined with tremendous setting out the current position on this aspect of love and admiration, “My mother just has no concept privilege in connection with this House and with of a glass ceiling”. That is a tremendous tribute from Members of this House. I will ensure that, once the someone in a real position to know. The merest glance report has been completed, copies are made available of what my noble friend has achieved across a variety to noble Lords as speedily as possible. Clearly the of walks of life shows just how true that tribute is. Lord Speaker has a number of responsibilities with Her career in trade unionism, consultancy, regulation, regard to security and related issues that are of direct economic management and, perhaps especially, in housing relevance here. I also readily acknowledge the point shows that for my noble friend glass ceilings are not made by the noble Lord, Lord Strathclyde, and expressed there to be shattered. They are not there even to be by the House recently, about financial privilege. I am acknowledged in her case. She is one of the best giving it careful consideration and I will be consulting jugglers of roles I know and she is a very fine role widely within the House. We will return to the matter model. We have been fortunate this afternoon in hearing in due course. such a considered, thoughtful and incisive speech from I thank the noble Baroness, Lady D’Souza, for all my noble friend in seconding the Motion. I thank her that she does for the House as Convenor of the for her contribution today and to the business of this Cross-Bench Peers. Leading political groupings is House more generally. sometimes likened to herding cats, so goodness knows I should like to welcome the new Members who what it is like to convene something that is neither have joined the House during this Session, a number political nor a group, but the noble Baroness does it of whom have come on to our Benches as Ministers. I with enormous skill and dexterity, as well as with great believe that, regardless of our political differences, the charm and openness. We are indebted to her. House as a whole has benefited at a time of huge We are often not aware of—I think that he would economic concern and uncertainty from the expertise be appalled if there were any clear evidence of it—the in this area that some of them have brought. All our huge help and guidance given to this House and its new Members are contributing to the debates in this Members through the work of Michael Pownall, our place and I look forward to their contributions over Clerk of the Parliaments, his team of fellow clerks and the coming Session. the senior management of the House. Their work is I am delighted to see our Lord Speaker in her place. often unsung and unseen, but this House would have The Lord Speaker and I are already working closely no chance at all of doing what it does without these together for the House as a whole. The Lord Speaker individuals. I am personally grateful for all the guidance has a special resonance for Members on these Benches and advice that Michael in particular has so ably and given that they are from whence she came, but her unstintingly given to me. Doing this job would not be work as Speaker within and beyond this Chamber possible without him. makes her an enormous asset and we pay tribute to her for all that she does. I single out a particular person for special thanks— Black Rod. To the public, he is the person who works I thank the noble Lord, Lord Brabazon of Tara, for one day a year with the totality of his job being an and his team of Deputy Speakers for all that they do enviable one, that of a walk along a corridor and three to ensure that our business is conducted co-operatively bangs on a door. We know differently because we and constructively. I thank also the chairs and members know of the extent and importance of Black Rod’s of your Lordships’ Select Committees for their work. As our current Black Rod, Sir Michael Willcocks, commitment, dedication and sheer hard work. I know is retiring during the coming Session, I know that that we have further business this afternoon in relation noble Lords will want to express not just at that point to the chair of the House of Lords Select Committee but here today their thanks and appreciation for all on the European Union and I do not wish to pre-empt that he does in carrying out his role. it, but I want to make mention in this speech of the magnificent work of the noble Lord, Lord Grenfell. I I shall add a further word of thanks to those whom have already mentioned my personal gratitude to the we do not see in this Chamber but who work for us all noble Lords, Lord Strathclyde and Lord McNally, but and to those who, even when we see them, sometimes perhaps I may express the thanks of noble Lords for we do not see properly. I refer to the real unsung all that they do for the House. I have to confess that I heroes of the House: those who work in the various am sometimes not quite so grateful for all that they do parts of the administration, the staff of Hansard,who for our Benches, but the political arguments that we with dedication record accurately all that we say and have are constructive, engaged in with good spirit and do, the staff who work so hard in the Library, our fundamental to what we do here. doorkeepers and messengers, and the cleaning, bar, I want to pick up on one point made by the noble catering and support staff whose hard work and unfailing Lord, Lord Strathclyde, in relation to the argument cheerfulness is such a boon to noble Lords. I thank over parliamentary privilege in another place. Earlier them all. this afternoon, the Speaker of the Commons made a The gracious Speech sets out the Government’s Statement in connection with the current events and programme for the coming Session. It has one primary, announced that he would establish a committee of overriding aim: to help people meet the economic 21 Queen’s Speech (First Day)[3 DECEMBER 2008] Deputy Chairman of Committees 22 challenges facing our country as a result of the global I am confident that this coming Session will, as downturn, and so to make sure that we come out of ever, show the House at its best—a hardworking, this downturn both sooner and stronger than we otherwise responsible, relevant House with a real part to play in might. As a Government we are taking action now to the politics and the practicalities of our country. It is a help people, not just proposing standing by and doing House that we can be, should be and are proud of. As nothing. As my right honourable friend the Prime both its leader and its servant, I certainly am proud of Minister said about the Opposition in regard to the it and of what we do here—in the Session just ended economy: it is a do-nothing party led by a do-nothing and in the coming Session; in the past and in the leader with do-nothing policies. future. I support the Motion. The Bills set out in the Queen’s Speech will: strengthen Motion agreed. the financial sector through the Banking Bill, soon to come to this House; support families and those on Chairman of Committees lower incomes to save through the saving gateway accounts Bill; and support local economic regeneration 4.44 pm and housing through measures in that area of policy. Moved by Baroness Royall of Blaisdon Our commitment to fair chances for all will be taken That the noble Lord, Lord Brabazon of Tara, be forward with Bills to eradicate child poverty; to promote appointed to take the Chair in all Committees of equality, including tackling the remaining discrimination the House for this Session. on grounds of age; to promote excellence in schools and give our young people the necessary skills and Motion agreed nemine dissentiente. education to equip them for future challenges, while the welfare reform Bill will help people find work. We Principal Deputy Chairman of Committees will promote fair rules for all, with tough measures to punish and prevent crime. We will strengthen our 4.45 pm borders and ensure an earned citizenship. We will Moved by Baroness Royall of Blaisdon improve public services through the NHS Bill. A fair That the noble Lord, Lord Roper, be appointed say for all means that we will have measures to give Principal Deputy Chairman of Committees for this parents, patients and the public greater control over Session. the services they use. We will continue to work on measures aimed at improving our democracy and our The Lord President of the Council (Baroness Royall constitution. of Blaisdon): My Lords, in moving the Motion for the I can confirm that so far two Bills will start in your appointment of a new chair to this House’s European Lordships’ House—the marine and coastal access and Union Select Committee, it is right, appropriate and the local democracy, economic regeneration and an enormous pleasure to say something about his construction Bills. Through the usual channels, we will predecessor. Before I do so, I welcome the noble Lord, make clear further Lords starters, as necessary, as Lord Roper, to the chair. We are all confident that decisions are taken. I can also reassure the House that with his vast experience he will ably take on that task, while we still have the White Paper on Lords reform but I know that John is the first to acknowledge that before us, the Government will not seek to make he will have a hard act to follow in the noble Lord, further progress on Lords reform in this Session of Lord Grenfell. Parliament. The noble Lord, Lord Grenfell, has been a simply superb chairman of the committee. In this House, in Last week we completed a full and tough Session. the committee itself, and in dealing with the people We sat for a total of 164 days and I thank the business and organisations in this country and across Europe managers and the usual channels for all the skill and with whom and with which the committee deals, he hard work they put in to ensure that the Session went has been a model of how to chair a committee and a as well as possible. I thank, in particular, the wonderful credit to this House. He has brought to the committee staff of the Whips’ Office. We passed 24 government all the qualities that it was thought he would when he Bills and three other Bills reached Royal Assent; we took over the chairmanship in 2002: his intelligence, took 63 oral Statements; we debated 70 short Questions; his acuity, his strong sense of fairness and his extraordinary and Ministers and Whips dealt, as ever, with a huge levels of patience—no doubt sorely tried from time to range of Questions from Members of the time. Coupled with his background—Eton, Cambridge, As a country we face unprecedented challenges. the Queen’s Royal Rifles, television, the World Bank— Extraordinary times require extraordinary measures, those qualities combine to make him a natural in this and these are the responses and the leadership that the House and, of course, in the Select Committee. His Government, led by the Prime Minister, are providing. knowledge, his experience and his authority have all Not all are legislative, but the gracious Speech sets out been to the gain of the committee and of the whole the legislative measures which we believe will best help House. the people of this country in these difficult times. I The noble Lord, I am reliably informed, and my look forward to bipartisan support for these essential own experience and knowledge of him are entirely in measures from the other Benches in the House. This is accord with this, has never been known to lose his an essential programme and we have to pull together temper on the committee—never been known even to for the benefit of our economy and our country. I look raise his voice, even, perhaps especially, when others forward to working with all sides of the House as would have been provoked by the inevitable frequent we do so. and probably permanent clash of civilisations on the 23 Deputy Chairman of Committees[LORDS] Deputy Chairman of Committees 24

[BARONESS ROYALL OF BLAISDON] Lord McNally: My Lords, from these Benches I committee between those pro-Europe and those against welcome my noble friend Lord Roper to the position it. He has been a particularly distinguished, impressive and express our thanks to the noble Lord, Lord Grenfell. and effective chairman of this, one of our most respected I suspect that by now he must be feeling rather like and well regarded Select Committees. His committee’s Tom Sawyer when he was in the loft listening to his exceptional report on the EU Lisbon treaty, which was own funeral service. The gratitude of the House is so important to the passage of the European Union heartfelt and from all Benches. I understand that in Bill through this House this year, was only the most the French press he is sometimes referred to as “Lord recent demonstration of that. Pigalle”. I can assure the House that it will not be That is not the view just of this House. The noble long before my noble friend Lord Roper is known as Lord has rightly been lauded well beyond the House— “Lord Soho”. indeed, well beyond these shores. When I meet colleagues The noble Lord, Lord Grenfell, has represented the from European Union capitals and the EU institutions, Lord Chancellor and then the Lord Speaker, who, by he is widely known, regarded, respected and, of course, the nature of their jobs, often have to be on the liked. Last month, in the hallowed halls of the French Woolsack. I understand that the noble Lord has Senate itself, the noble Lord was awarded its medal of represented this House on numerous occasions before honour and received not one but two standing ovations— other Parliaments and on international bodies, always rightly so. The fact that he is a linguist will have not with the skill, tact and diplomacy that has been associated only inspired the trust and confidence of our European with his name. It is for his international representation, partners, but ensured greater mutual understanding of as well as his skill as a chairman and his reputation as often difficult and contentious issues. a good egg, that we on these Benches thank him for his The noble Lord will be greatly missed by this House work. As for his retirement, on another occasion over as chair of the committee but greatly welcomed back which the Lord Speaker presided, the noble Lord into the mainstream of the House now that his tenure announced with some vigour that he had no intention of the chair is concluded. If I can be allowed the of retiring and was just going to pause over Christmas smallest of partisan points from these Benches, it will before deciding what to do next. We look forward to be a genuine joy to welcome him back to these Benches finding out in the new year. as my noble friend. Our gain is the committee’s loss but, more importantly, our gain is a gain for the whole House. Baroness D’Souza: My Lords, on behalf of the Cross Benches, I am grateful for the opportunity to add to the tributes already paid to the noble Lord, Lord Strathclyde: My Lords, I welcome the noble Lord Grenfell. There are many areas in which he has Lord, Lord Roper, and associate these Benches with expanded the work of the committee under his watch, the expressions of gratitude to the noble Lord, Lord particularly that of scrutiny. For example, there has Grenfell. Although he sails under another flag today, been the increasing work with national parliaments he came here as a hereditary Peer, and I know he will and the valuable institution of a Brussels liaison officer, not mind it said that he is one of a long line of such as well as the translation of some parts of some people who have come to this place to serve out of a reports into French and German—always a useful high sense of public duty. That sense of duty, along measure. with his patience, intelligence and good humour, have As your Lordships will know, Sub-Committee G always marked the noble Lord. The committees he monitors social policy and consumer affairs. During chairs, as the noble Baroness the Leader of the House this year alone, it has scrutinised such diverse issues as has said, is regarded as providing a great service to working time directives, consumer credit agreements Parliament as a whole, and I am sure that he would and the regulation of food information for consumers. wish no greater compliment than if I were to say, with It also carried out a major investigation into donor the warmest sincerity, that under his chairmanship its organ transplants which, as your Lordships know, is a prestige has ever been more widely recognised. matter of life or death for those awaiting organ transfer. Even those of us who consider it a merciful release The report that followed this extensive and intensive that the Lisbon treaty has not yet been inflicted on the inquiry concluded that the EU directive would indeed British people without their consent will at least help to improve the supply in Europe but emphasised acknowledge that the noble Lord’s work in relation to the need to allow scope for clinical judgment and that, the whole process of the draft constitutional patient choice. I have no doubt that this report will, as treaty and, indeed, the standard of the nearly 40 reports do all committee reports, add immeasurably to subsequent a year on average under his chairmanship was of the legislation, to the benefit of us all. very highest quality. His efficient conduct of his office The range of work undertaken and the innovations has led to a reduction in the number of scrutiny of the past few years are remarkable. The reports are overrides, from 64 in 2003 to 25 in 2007, something hugely respected and used throughout Europe. We that all noble Lords will welcome. owe congratulations and gratitude in equal measure to I trust that the noble Lord will go, with our warmest the noble Lord for having achieved so much. good wishes and thanks, with that oldest British virtue always to arm him: satisfaction in a job well done. I know that I speak for all those on these Benches who Lord Grenfell: My Lords, perhaps I may take a brief served with him when I say that he will be greatly moment to express my warmest thanks to noble Lords missed and we look forward to hearing him often in who have just spoken for their much too generous our debates. remarks. Rather, I should be thanking noble Lords for 25 Deputy Chairman of Committees[3 DECEMBER 2008] Stoppages in the Streets 26 having entrusted me with the chairmanship of the The noble Baroness the Leader of the House referred European Union Select Committee and the principal to the fact that I shall return to the Labour Back deputy chairmanship of committees during these past six Benches. I sought her out at one occasion to inform years. I can sincerely say that they have been the most her that that was my intention and she received the stimulating and satisfying years of my parliamentary news with her customary fortitude. life. I very much look forward to contributing to the I also take this opportunity to thank all noble work of your Lordships’ House in the future, and I Lords who have participated in the work of the European thank each and every noble Lord who has given me Union Select Committee and its sub-committees during splendid support during my term of office. my term of office. Their very hard work week in and week out of scrutinising European legislation and Motion agreed nemine dissentiente. European documents has been an extraordinarily valuable contribution, and I thank them also for the incomparable Stoppages in the Streets skill and expertise that they apply to it. I take this opportunity also to pay a special tribute It was ordered that the Commissioner of Police of the to the staff of the Select Committee and the sub- Metropolis do take care that the passages through the committees, because their dedication, hard work and streets leading to this House be kept free and open and skills enable those committees to fulfil their mandates. that no obstruction be permitted to hinder the passage They would not be able to do so without that support of Lords to and from this House during the sitting of from those extraordinary staff. Parliament; or to hinder Lords in the pursuit of their parliamentary duties on the Parliamentary Estate; and Finally, I congratulate my distinguished successor, that the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod attending the noble Lord, Lord Roper, on his appointment. I this House do communicate this Order to the Commissioner. wish him well. If he enjoys his terms of office as much as I have, he will be a very happy man. House adjourned at 4.57 pm.

Volume 706 Wednesday No. 1 3 December 2008

CONTENTS

Wednesday 3 December 2008 List of Government and Principal Office Holders and Staff Queens Speech...... 1 Members of the House ...... 3 Death of a Member ...... 3 Select Vestries Bill First Reading ...... 3 Queen’s Speech Debate (First Day) ...... 4 Chairman of the Committees Motion ...... 22 Principal Deputy Chairman of Committees Motion ...... 22 Stoppages in the Streets ...... 26