Vol. 715 Wednesday No. 1 18 November 2009

PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES () OFFICIAL REPORT

ORDER OF BUSINESS

Queen’s Speech Select Vestries Bill First Reading Queen’s Speech Debate (First Day) For column numbers see back page

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© Parliamentary Copyright House of Lords 2009, 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. , MP SECRETARY OF STATE FOR JUSTICE AND —The Rt. Hon. , MP SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT—The Rt. Hon. , MP SECRETARY OF STATE FOR HEALTH—The Rt. Hon. , MP FIRST SECRETARY OF STATE,SECRETARY OF STATE FOR BUSINESS,INNOVATION AND SKILLS AND LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL—The Rt. Hon. Lord Mandelson SECRETARY OF STATE FOR ENVIRONMENT,FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS—The Rt. Hon. , MP SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT—The Rt. Hon. , MP SECRETARY OF STATE FOR DEFENCE—The Rt. Hon. , MP LEADER OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS, AND MINISTER FOR WOMEN AND EQUALITY—The Rt. Hon. , QC, MP SECRETARY OF STATE FOR COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT—The Rt. Hon. , MP SECRETARY OF STATE FOR TRANSPORT—The Rt. Hon. Lord Adonis SECRETARY OF STATE FOR CHILDREN,SCHOOLS AND FAMILIES—The Rt. Hon. , MP SECRETARY OF STATE FOR ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE—The Rt. Hon. , MP SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WORK AND PENSIONS—The Rt. Hon. , MP SECRETARY OF STATE FOR NORTHERN IRELAND—The Rt. Hon. , MP LEADER OF THE HOUSE OF LORDS AND CHANCELLOR OF THE DUCHY OF LANCASTER—The Rt. Hon. Baroness Royall of Blaisdon SECRETARY OF STATE FOR CULTURE,MEDIA AND SPORT—The Rt. Hon. , MP CHIEF SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY—The Rt. Hon. , MP SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WALES—The Rt. Hon. , MP SECRETARY OF STATE FOR SCOTLAND—The Rt. Hon. , MP MINISTER FOR THE CABINET OFFICE AND FOR THE OLYMPICS AND PAYMASTER-GENERAL—The Rt. Hon. , MP

DEPARTMENTS OF STATE AND MINISTERS Business, Innovation and Skills— SECRETARY OF STATE—The Rt. Hon. Lord Mandelson MINISTERS OF STATE— The Rt. Hon. Pat McFadden, MP Kevin Brennan, Esq., MP The Rt. Hon. , MP The Lord Davies of Abersoch, CBE The Rt. Hon. , MP The Rt. Hon. Lord Drayson PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARIES OF STATE— Ian Lucas, Esq., MP The Rt. Hon. , MP The Lord Young of Norwood Green Cabinet Office— MINISTER FOR THE CABINET OFFICE, THE OLYMPICS AND LONDON AND PAYMASTER-GENERAL—The Rt. Hon. Tessa Jowell, MP MINISTER OF STATE—The Rt. Hon. Angela E. Smith, MP Children, Schools and Families— SECRETARY OF STATE—The Rt. Hon. Ed Balls, MP MINISTERS OF STATE— Kevin Brennan, Esq., MP The Rt. Hon. , MP Vernon Coaker, Esq., MP PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARIES OF STATE— Iain Wright, Esq., MP The Baroness Morgan of Drefelin Diana R. Johnson, MP ii

Communities and Local Government— SECRETARY OF STATE—The Rt. Hon. John Denham, MP MINISTERS OF STATE— The Rt. Hon. Rosie Winterton, MP The Rt. Hon. , MP PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARIES OF STATE— , Esq., MP Shahid Malik, Esq., MP Barbara Follett, MP The Lord McKenzie of Luton Culture, Media and Sport— SECRETARY OF STATE—The Rt. Hon. Ben Bradshaw, MP MINISTER OF STATE—The Rt. Hon. Margaret Hodge, MP PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARIES OF STATE— Siôn Simon, Esq., MP Gerry Sutcliffe, Esq., MP Defence— SECRETARY OF STATE—The Rt. Hon. Bob Ainsworth MP MINISTERS OF STATE— The Rt. Hon. Lord Drayson Bill Rammell, Esq., MP PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARIES OF STATE— The Rt. Hon. Baroness Taylor of Bolton Quentin Davies, Esq., MP , Esq., MP Energy and Climate Change— SECRETARY OF STATE—The Rt. Hon. Ed Miliband, MP MINISTERS OF STATE— Joan Ruddock, MP The Lord Hunt of Kings Heath PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE—David Kidney, Esq., MP Environment, Food and Rural Affairs— SECRETARY OF STATE—The Rt. Hon. Hilary Benn, MP MINISTER OF STATE—Jim Fitzpatrick, Esq., MP PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARIES OF STATE— The Lord Davies of Oldham Huw Irranca-Davies, Esq., MP Dan Norris, Esq., MP Foreign and Commonwealth Office— SECRETARY OF STATE—The Rt. Hon. David Miliband, MP MINISTERS OF STATE— Ivan Lewis, Esq., MP The Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead The Lord Davies of Abersoch, CBE PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARIES OF STATE— Chris Bryant, Esq., MP The Rt. Hon. Baroness Taylor of Bolton Government Equalities Office— MINISTERS OF STATE— The Rt. Hon. Harriet Harman, QC, MP Maria Eagle, MP PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY—Michael Jabez Foster, Esq., MP Health— SECRETARY OF STATE—The Rt. Hon. Andy Burnham, MP MINISTERS OF STATE— Phil Hope, Esq., MP The Rt. Hon. Mike O’Brien, MP Gillian Merron, MP PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE—Ann Keen, MP iii

Home Office— SECRETARY OF STATE—The Rt. Hon. Alan Johnson, MP MINISTERS OF STATE— , Esq., MP The Rt. Hon. David Hanson, MP PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARIES OF STATE— Alan Campbell, Esq., MP Meg Hillier, MP The Lord West of Spithead, GCB, DSC International Development— SECRETARY OF STATE—The Rt. Hon. Douglas Alexander, MP MINISTER OF STATE—Gareth Thomas, Esq., MP PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE—Michael Foster, Esq., MP Justice— SECRETARY OF STATE FOR JUSTICE AND LORD CHANCELLOR—The Rt. Hon. Jack Straw, MP MINISTERS OF STATE— The Rt. Hon. Michael Wills, MP Maria Eagle, MP PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARIES OF STATE— Bridget Prentice, MP , MP The Lord Bach 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 PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY—, MP Northern Ireland— SECRETARY OF STATE—The Rt. Hon. Shaun Woodward, MP MINISTER OF STATE—The Rt. Hon. Goggins, MP Privy Council Office— FIRST SECRETARY OF STATE,SECRETARY OF STATE FOR BUSINESS,INNOVATION AND SKILLS AND LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL—The Rt. Hon. Lord Mandelson Scotland Office— SECRETARY OF STATE—The Rt. Hon. Jim Murphy, MP PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE—Ann McKechin, MP Transport— SECRETARY OF STATE—The Rt. Hon. Lord Adonis MINISTER OF STATE—The Rt. Hon. , MP PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARIES OF STATE— , 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. Liam Byrne, MP FINANCIAL SECRETARY—The Rt. Hon. Stephen Timms, MP EXCHEQUER SECRETARY—Sarah McCarthy-Fry, MP ECONOMIC SECRETARY—Ian Pearson, Esq., MP PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY—The Rt. Hon. , MP MINISTER OF STATE—Phil Woolas, Esq., MP FINANCIAL SERVICES SECRETARY—The Lord Myners — , Esq., MP Tony Cunningham, Esq., MP Stephen McCabe, Esq., MP Frank Roy, Esq., MP Dave Watts, Esq., MP iv

ASSISTANT WHIPS— , MP , MP , MP John Heppell, Esq., MP , MP Kerry McCarthy, MP George Mudie, Esq., MP Mark Tami, Esq., MP David Wright, Esq., MP Wales Office— SECRETARY OF STATE—The Rt. Hon. Peter Hain, MP PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE—Wayne David, Esq., MP Work and Pensions— SECRETARY OF STATE—The Rt. Hon. Yvette Cooper, MP MINISTERS OF STATE— The Rt. Hon. , MP Angela Eagle, MP PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARIES OF STATE— Helen Goodman, MP The Lord McKenzie of Luton Jonathan Shaw, Esq., MP 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—The Rt. Hon. Thomas McAvoy, MP COMPTROLLER—The Rt. Hon. John Spellar, MP VICE-CHAMBERLAIN—Helen Jones, 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 Brett The Lord Faulkner of Worcester The Lord Tunnicliffe The Lord Young of Norwood Green BARONESSES IN WAITING— The Baroness Crawley 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 Rt. Hon. 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 BLACK ROD AND SERJEANT-AT-ARMS—Lieutenant-General Sir Freddie Viggers, KCB, CMG, MBE, DL COUNSEL TO THE CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEES—A. Roberts; M. Thomas; P. Milledge 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 DIRECTOR OF FACILITIES —C. V. Woodall FINANCE DIRECTOR—Dr F. P. Tudor DIRECTOR OF PARLIAMENTARY ICT SERVICE—Mrs J. Miller PRINCIPAL CLERK OF SELECT COMMITTEES—A. Makower CLERK OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE BILLS—T. V. Mohan EXAMINERS OF PETITIONS FOR PRIVATE BILLS—T. V. Mohan; L.C. Laurence Smyth 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; Ms J. Brooke; Ms E. Baldock, D. Phil; T. W.G. Wilson; M. H. Collon; W.Sinton; Mrs K. Colvin, CVO; R. Publicover; P.N. Bristow; S. J. ; Miss S. L. Jones; Miss S. E. Street CLERKS—Mrs E. Rubio; Ms J. Labeta; J. Whittle; Ms K. Meanwell; R. Whiteway; A. Willott; J. Turner; Miss D. A. S. Ricketts; Miss T. Rowland DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC INFORMATION—Mr B. Hiscock HEAD OF CATERING SERVICES—T. D. Lamming PRIVATE SECRETARY TO THE CLERK OF THE PARLIAMENTS—D. J. Sagar PRIVATE SECRETARY TO THE LORD SPEAKER—C. J. Clarke 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 FREEDOM OF INFORMATION AND DATA PROTECTION OFFICER—Ms F. P. Grey LL.M

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—Colonel E. Lloyd-Jukes PRINCIPAL DOORKEEPER—K. C. Phipps SECOND PRINCIPAL DOORKEEPER—D. P. Evans

DEPARTMENT OF FACILITIES— ACCOMMODATION,PLANNING AND BUDGET MANAGER—Miss F. E. Smith STAFF SUPERINTENDENT—Major A. M. Charlesworth, BEM vi

COMMITTEE OFFICE— DEPUTY LEGAL ADVISER,EUROPEAN UNION COMMITTEE—A. Ridout ASSISTANT LEGAL ADVISER,EUROPEAN UNION COMMITTEE—T. Mitchell POLICY ANALYSTS—O. Fox; A. Dillon; S. Seawright; S. Stoner; Miss R. Newton; Miss L. Bonacorsi; M. Torrance

HUMAN RESOURCES OFFICE— DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES—J. Seller

HANSARD— DEPUTY EDITOR OF THE OFFICIAL REPORT—J. S. Vice ASSISTANT AND MANAGING EDITORS OF THE OFFICIAL REPORT—J. C. Donoghue; Mrs G. Hoffmann; M. J. Lowes; W. Humphreys-Jones; G. S. J. Wigmore; Ms L. Linchis; Miss Z. C. Robinson REPORTERS—Mrs J. K. Dixon; Mrs S. E. Hussey; L. P. Blud; Mrs G. J. Reding; Mrs B. Franzmann; B. Tottle; J. O’Donoghue; Mrs C. A. Vivian; Mrs S. B. Delaney; S. Page; Ms S. M. White; J. R. W. Nesbitt; B. J. R.Woodhams; H. F. Ellingsen; Mrs I. Stringer; Ms C. Treanor; H. Evans; M. Blackaby; M. Wyman

LEGISLATION— COMMITTEE ADVISERS,SELECT COMMITTEE OF THE MERITS OF STATUTORY INSTRUMENTS—Mrs J. White; G. Oliver LIBRARY— DEPUTY LIBRARIAN—Miss I. L. Victory, Ph.D HEAD OF RESEARCH SERVICES—A. Brocklehurst; SENIOR LIBRARY CLERKS—I. S. Cruse; P. M. Vollmer LIBRARY CLERKS—Mrs H. Evennett; Ms M. Hill; Mrs N. K. Newson; J. P. Tobin RESOURCES AND SYSTEMS LIBRARIAN—C. Ross REFERENCE SERVICES LIBRARIAN—Miss S. K. Fairweather TECHNICAL SERVICES LIBRARIAN—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; Mrs T. Boström-Westward; J. Greenhead; Ms J. Davies ASSISTANT LIBRARIANS—Miss L. Bentley; Miss R. F. Mason

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; A. Brown RECORDS MANAGER—Mrs K. Barata ARCHIVISTS—Ms M. C. Takayanagi; Miss J. M. Lynch INFORMATION COMPLIANCE MANAGER—A. Daybank

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 M. P. Pieroni; Miss R. M. Best; Mrs C. Chipperfield; Miss S. Kunert HIGHER EXECUTIVE OFFICERS—N. I. Cross; G. M. Quin; C. J. Nicholls; 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; M. Broome; P. Langridge; P. Beresford; Mrs A. Scott; J. W. Bowyer; B. Sizer; Mrs S. Hornsby EXECUTIVE OFFICERS—S. J. Connor; Mrs S. K. Cooper; S. P. Jones; Ms A. Pickering; Miss S. W. Lee; R. S. Harrison; F. O. Johnson; S. Gough; Miss L. M. Troke; H. Osasuna; Miss A. Connelly; Mrs S. L. Kerr; B. K. Opuni; Miss O. J. Clear; Miss S. J. Lapidge; J. Wasley; C. Hofton; Mrs C. Hook; Miss S. Robertson; J. Breslin; Miss E. Judah; Mrs F. Parker; Mrs S. Rabadia; Miss F. Mahon; J. Topping; P. Sargent; Miss L. Bourke; R. C. Taylor; Miss S. J. Myers; Ms H. Shackleton; Miss C. T. Batley; Miss E. C. Wells; R. Mugleston vii

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 SAFETY,HEALTH &WELLBEING AND WELFARE SERVICE—Dr M. McDougall HEALTH AND SAFETY MANAGER—Ms E. Cameron OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND WELFARE MANAGER—Mrs A. Mossop OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH ADVISER—Miss C. Evans PRACTICE NURSES—Ms K. St Cyr; Mrs M. Mainland; Mrs L. Walsh WELFARE OFFICER—Ms T. Harris HEAD OF SECURITY—Chief Superintendent E. Bateman POSTMASTER—M. Morrish TRAVEL OFFICE MANAGER—Ms K. White

18 November 2009

THE PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES (HANSARD)

IN THE FIFTH 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 DCCXV

FIRST VOLUME OF SESSION 2009-10

My Government will continue to reform and strengthen House of Lords regulation of the financial services industry to ensure greater protection for savers and taxpayers. Legislation Wednesday, 18 November 2009. will be brought forward to enhance the governance of the financial sector and to control the system of rewards. As the economic recovery is established, my Queen’s Speech Government will reduce the budget deficit and ensure that national debt is on a sustainable path. Legislation 11.30 am will be brought forward to halve the deficit. My Government will introduce a Bill to enable the The Queen, seated on the Throne and attended by Her wider provision of free personal care to those in Officers of State, commanded that the Gentleman Usher highest care need. of the Black Rod should let the Commons know that it Legislation will be brought forward to introduce was Her Majesty’s pleasure that they attend Her guarantees for pupils and parents to raise educational immediately in this House. standards. My Government will legislate to protect communities When they had come with their Speaker, Her Majesty by ensuring that parents take responsibility for their was pleased to speak as follows: children’s anti-social behaviour and by tackling youth “My Lords and Members of the House of Commons, gang crime. my Government’s overriding priority is to ensure sustained My Government will introduce a Bill to ensure the growth to deliver a fair and prosperous economy for communications infrastructure is fit for the digital age, families and businesses as the British economy recovers supports future economic growth, delivers competitive from the global economic downturn. Through active communications and enhances public service broadcasting. employment and training programmes, restructuring the financial sector, strengthening the national Legislation will be brought forward to support infrastructure and providing responsible investment, carbon capture and storage and to help more of the my Government will foster growth and employment. most vulnerable households with their energy bills. My Government will also strengthen key public My Government will respond to proposals for high- services, ensuring that individual entitlements guarantee speed rail services between London and Scotland. good services and will work to build trust in democratic institutions. Legislation will be introduced to protect communities from flooding and to improve the management of My Government will seek effective global and water supplies. European collaboration through the G20 and the European Union to sustain economic recovery and to My Government is committed to ensuring everyone combat climate change, including at the Copenhagen has a fair chance in life and will continue to take summit next month. forward legislation to promote equality, narrow the gap between rich and poor and tackle discrimination. The Duke of Edinburgh and I look forward to our The Bill will also introduce transparency in the workplace, visit to Bermuda and our State Visit to Trinidad and to help address the differences in pay between men Tobago and to the Commonwealth Heads of Government and women. Meeting in this, the Commonwealth’s 60th anniversary year. We also look forward to receiving the President My Government will continue to enshrine in law its of South Africa next year. commitment to abolish child poverty by 2020. 3 Queen’s Speech[LORDS] Queen’s Speech (First Day) 4

My Government will legislate to provide agency Queen’s Speech workers with the right to be treated equally with permanent staff on pay, holidays and other basic Debate (1st Day) conditions. Legislation will continue to be taken forward on 3.37 pm constitutional reform. My Government will also publish The Lord Speaker (Baroness Hayman): My Lords, I draft legislation on proposals for a reformed second have to acquaint the House that Her Majesty was chamber of Parliament with a democratic mandate. pleased this morning to make a most gracious Speech A Bill will be introduced to strengthen the law from the Throne to both Houses of Parliament assembled against bribery. in the House of Lords. Copies of the gracious Speech My Government will continue to work closely with are available in the Printed Paper Office. the devolved administrations in the interests of all the I have, for the convenience of the House, arranged people of the United Kingdom. My Government is for the terms of the gracious Speech to be published in committed to the Northern Ireland political process the Official Report. and will continue to work with Northern Ireland’s leaders to complete the devolution of policing and Motion for an Humble Address justice and to ensure its success. In Scotland, my Government will take forward Moved by Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean proposals in the Final Report from the Commission That an humble Address be presented to Her on Scottish Devolution. My Government will continue Majesty as follows: to devolve more powers to Wales. Members of the House of Commons, estimates for “Most Gracious Sovereign—We, Your Majesty’s the public services will be laid before you. most dutiful and loyal subjects, the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament assembled, beg leave My Lords and Members of the House of Commons, to thank YourMajesty for the most gracious Speech my Government will work for security, stability and which Your Majesty has addressed to both Houses prosperity in Afghanistan and Pakistan, and for peace of Parliament”. in the Middle East. Legislation will be brought forward to ban cluster munitions. Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: My Lords, the gracious Speech concentrated on four main themes, My Government will work towards creating the which the Government are determined to pursue in conditions for a world without nuclear weapons, including this next short parliamentary term. The first and addressing the challenges from and North Korea. overriding priority is, and must continue to remain, Draft legislation will be published to make binding delivering a fair and prosperous economy for families my Government’s commitment to spend 0.7 per cent and businesses. In the past 18 months, we have had to of national income on international development confront the first truly global economic recession. No from 2013. matter where one travels, even among the most traditional Other measures will be laid before you. and risk-averse economies in the world, no country My Lords and Members of the House of Commons, has escaped the consequences. Everywhere I have been I pray that the blessing of Almighty God may rest in the past year or so people raised the same questions: upon your counsels.” how do we pull ourselves out and how long will it last? There have had to be hard choices: whether markets 11.42 am should be left to sort out the crisis or whether Governments should intervene; and whether to let The House adjourned during pleasure. the recession run its course or whether to stimulate the economy back to stability and then on to growth. The 3.30 pm arguments about how best to do this have raged between economists, commentators and politicians. Blame has been apportioned and reapportioned on an almost Prayers—read by the Lord Bishop of Newcastle. weekly basis. But, as the gracious Speech makes clear, the Government believe that it is vital to take action to shoulder responsibility and to protect those on middle Members of the House and modest incomes and those who are unemployed. To this end, the Government are pledged to do more It was ordered that a list of Members of the House, to create jobs and to foster growth and employment. prepared by the Clerk of the Parliaments, be printed. Moreover, the Government will reform the financial services industry so that those who save and those who lend do not again have to live with the anxieties, the Select Vestries Bill insecurities and the fear that they have experienced in First Reading recent months, through no fault of their own. The second theme that struck me in the gracious 3.37 pm Speech was that of the urgency that the Government attach to dealing with climate change. The global The Bill was read a first time pro forma. nature of the challenge is as clear with climate change 5 Queen’s Speech (First Day)[18 NOVEMBER 2009] Queen’s Speech (First Day) 6 as it is with the economic recession. Most people can threat of nuclear weapons in Iran and North Korea agree on the objectives both for the first, stabilising are issues that we all know have to be addressed. and then reducing carbon emissions, and for the second, However, I was especially pleased that the Commonwealth stabilising and growing the world economy. As the was mentioned so early in the gracious Speech and gracious Speech noted, the Copenhagen summit takes that in this, the Commonwealth’s 60th year, Her Majesty place next month, and we all anticipate that national and the Duke of Edinburgh are to visit Bermuda interests will be weighed against international co-operation. and Trinidad and Tobago. I declare an interest as Negotiators will attempt to balance the restrictions the deputy chairman of the Commonwealth Study that may be placed on one generation—our own—with Conference. the needs of the next generations to live in safety from I put on record the satisfaction of these Benches at devastating weather pattern changes and to enjoy future everything that has been done to put this country at energy supplies. We must not be deflected from arguing the heart of Europe. We acknowledge all the work that the case for what is right, what is responsible and what has been done in trying to bring peace and stability to is humane. We should remember that our Prime Minister troubled parts of the world, often with the support of will be among those who toiled longest, worked hardest our superb and courageous Armed Forces, who put and argued with greatest conviction on the issue. themselves on the line for us every day. I turn to two other themes of the gracious Speech Many of us—and that includes many from all which are of a more domestic nature. The first is the parties—are especially pleased with this Government’s strengthening of our public services. One of the huge cancellation of debt for the poorest countries, the attributes of this country is that we in all parties separation of the provision of overseas aid from any recognise that we must all contribute to the great trading advantage to ourselves, the trebling of our aid public services, to provide education, health and social budget and the commitment to make binding our welfare. This is the cornerstone of our sense of social aim to achieve by 2013 the United Nations target of justice, grown and nurtured in this country for almost 0.7 per cent of national income dedicated to international 500 years, and it is very different from what exists in development. World poverty is beatable and we are many other countries. Our system is far from perfect, determined to beat it. but it has improved hugely under the Labour Government. Just as one of the great Conservative Administrations Lastly, and I suppose utterly predictably, my eye of the past—that of the then Mrs Thatcher, now the was caught by the reference to publishing draft legislation noble Baroness, Lady Thatcher—can take credit for on proposals for a reformed second Chamber. On changing for ever the terms of engagement in recognising, that, we know how divided opinions are. One colleague tracking and controlling public expenditure, taking remarked earlier that this might be the last straw on responsibility at all levels of public administration, so the subject. We shall see. My only comment—at least, we on these Benches are proud of what our Administration for now—is that a democratic mandate for a reformed is achieving on public services: 44,000 more doctors, second Chamber has to be matched by democratic 89,000 more nurses, 42,000 more teachers, 19,000 more powers that allow that mandate to be exercised. police, the shortest waiting times in history, the creation The State Opening of Parliament is always a splendid of Sure Start, child benefit at record levels, the minimum and vivid occasion. This year it is especially interesting wage and much more. because, to be frank, there is for the first time in There is more to be done, as the gracious Speech 12 years a real possibility that there might—just might—be makes clear: more on strengthening the key public a change of government in six months’ time. The polls services, more on setting achievable goals for individuals, tell us that that may happen, not that it will, and the more on letting those individuals know what they and British people will make their judgments in due course. their families can expect on health, welfare and, in However, they will make them after what has been, to particular, on the educational standards on which our quote Her Majesty about an earlier year, an annus collective future depends. That touches on the last horribilis for politicians. The expenses scandal has theme: social justice. Without good public services, affected both Houses and all political groups—no social justice cannot be achieved. Good public services— party can point a finger at others—and the British the provision of health, education and social services—are public have rightly had cause to question politicians’ fundamental prerequisites of equality of opportunity motives and the integrity of public life in general. between men and women, between people of different Public service in this country is our bedrock. For all ethnic origins and between people of different beliefs our faults, our public services are remarkable for their and sexualities. All these issues have been tackled integrity and freedom from corruption. Our Armed boldly over the past 12 years, sometimes against heavy Forces answer the calls from the United Nations, odds, but always with determination and conviction. NATO and the European Union with speed as well as But equality of opportunity between rich and poor is courage. The overwhelming majority of people who an even tougher barrier to social justice. We have staff our police forces, our fire services, our town halls, begun—pulling half a million children out of poverty, our Civil Service, our social work departments, schools together with 900,000 pensioners—but it is not enough, and hospitals are dedicated and committed to public and this is a challenge which we on these Benches are service. And so are most politicians. Most people enter determined to champion. public life to try to make this country and beyond There are two further issues in the gracious Speech better for people—all people—to live in. Government that I should like to mention. The first is foreign Ministers work very long hours, often to the detriment policy.Establishing security and prosperity in Afghanistan, of their private lives, and opposition spokesmen and Pakistan and the Middle East and dealing with the spokeswomen, mostly with little support—particularly 7 Queen’s Speech (First Day)[LORDS] Queen’s Speech (First Day) 8

[BARONESS SYMONS OF VERNHAM DEAN] Entering the Whips’ Office was certainly a steep true in your Lordships’ House—work late and start learning curve, but one which was both rewarding and early to fulfil their considerable responsibilities and enlightening. I was fortunate to have a great mentor in duties. Almost all do that with one overriding principle the form of my noble friend Lady Andrews. As I say, I at the heart of everything that they do: public service. had to learn a great deal as a Minister in the Whips’ That is exemplified on all sides of this House, but I Office. There are probably two initial key issues that a hope that the House will forgive me if I pay particular Whip faces. The first is that you have to answer a lot of tribute to our Leader, a true leader of the whole parliamentary Questions, often on subjects about which House, my noble friend Lady Royall, who is supported you know little. I take this opportunity to thank noble so ably by our Chief Whip, my noble friend Lord Lords for their forbearance and patience with me Bassam. during when this was abundantly clear to I hope that in these next six months, however hot them. the heat of the political battle, we shall be able to show I can assure noble Lords that, despite their doubts, that, although much has gone wrong—at times shamefully I sought guidance and advice about answering wrong—so much more has gone right in the way that parliamentary Questions. Surely, I thought, there must public administration and public service are undertaken be some sort of guidance—a course, an induction in this country and that the motivation of all of us, of programme, perhaps, that I could go on. Early on, I all parties and none, is and will remain one of public sought advice. “No, you do not need a training course duty and public service. on this”, I was told, “you just need to learn a few I beg to move the Motion for an Humble Address golden rules”. I was told a story that perfectly illustrated to Her Majesty. what the golden rules were. Let me share this with noble Lords. 3.52 pm A Minister and a senior civil servant are being Lord Patel of Bradford: My Lords, it is with immense driven to some remote government establishment. The pleasure and pride that I beg to second my noble and car begins to travel deep into the countryside, it is esteemed friend’s Motion for an Humble Address. getting late, and the fog closes in. The car gets slower It is especially rewarding for me to follow the most and slower and finally the driver, dimly seeing a passer-by, admirable noble Baroness; as noble Lords will be rolls down the window and shouts, “Where are we?”. aware, she was, among her many achievements, the Back comes the answer, “You are in a car in the fog”. first ever female Minister of State for Defence. I would The civil servant immediately jumps up and says, “Do like to think that I, too, given my origins and upbringing, you realise, Minister, that that is the perfect answer to may be achieving something of a first in seconding the a parliamentary Question? It is short, it is absolutely Motion for an Humble Address but, alas, I believe true and it tells you nothing that you did not already that I am not the first Yorkshireman to do so. know”. It is with some trepidation that I follow such an The second most challenging duty as a Whip was to esteemed person as my noble friend who, in addition try to make people stay late into the evening to vote. I to her ministerial post of defence, was Minister for the thought, “Okay, let’s try the usual Yorkshire charm”. Middle East, Minister for international trade and the That did not last too long, so I implored people to Prime Minister’s envoy to the Gulf. I also know that stay—I even begged them. Finally, I resorted to threatening she has a long-standing commitment to equality and them with the Chief Whip. Alas, even the threat of the justice, having been a trade union general secretary wrath of my noble friend Lord Bassam was of no avail and an Equal Opportunities Commissioner. I am very at times, until I realised that, when really necessary, a fortunate to be associated with her today. Indeed, I am Whip has to use the ultimate sanction, the ultimate very aware of the great honour bestowed on me of threat of the real boss. Eight simple words seemed to giving this address and I hope that I can do justice to do the trick every time: “If you leave early, I will tell your Lordships’ expectations. Josie”. My noble friends know only too well the effectiveness of this sanction. I first joined this House as a Cross-Bench Peer but from the moment I arrived, I have always felt supported I thoroughly enjoyed my time in the Whips Office, and found great guidance and reassurance from noble and I am immensely grateful to my many colleagues in Lords. The noble Lord, Lord Williamson, was, from the office who work tirelessly to see the business of the the very beginning, extremely supportive and always House through. I also express my gratitude to all the provided a guiding hand. It was my noble friend officials who work behind the scenes, often unseen Lady Ashton of Upholland, the then Leader of the and unknown, but who do great service to the work of House, who found time to listen and to reassure me as this House. I took up my seat on these Benches. Indeed, it is at times such as this, when we consider I must also join my noble friend Lady Symons in the work ahead as set out in the gracious Speech, that paying tribute to the dynamic duo—what a great we realise the significance and great import of the team—of my noble friend Lady Royall of Blaisdon, work we do. It will be no surprise to anyone here that I the Leader of the House, and my noble friend Lord take particular interest in the Equality Bill, having Bassam of Brighton, the Chief Whip. Lately, I have worked for most of my adult life as a service manager had the great pleasure of working closely with both of and an academic promoting equality and human rights. them and benefiting from their strong and inspirational We sometimes hear these days the idea that we have leadership as I found myself, for a time, in the Whips’ too many rights, as if it is somehow not injustice that Office. is the problem but equality. To me, rights are like the 9 Queen’s Speech (First Day)[18 NOVEMBER 2009] Queen’s Speech (First Day) 10 air we breathe—while it is possible to survive on less, Lord Patel. Well, I thought that it was easy to mistake we can do so only for a limited time before the body one name for another. But perhaps they had gone a suffers and our brains close down. If we are to thrive tad too far by suggesting that all Peers look the same. I as a free and fair society, we must continue to protect sincerely hope that the noble Lord did not suffer any the rights of those who are most vulnerable, those in difficulties from this and that he will forgive me for not the greatest need and those who experience injustice. seeking to put a correct picture of myself in his place. The Equality Bill introduces a range of new and I am not the only one to have experienced difficult important protections, for example on age discrimination, times this year at the hands of those who seek to that will greatly protect and benefit the elderly who destroy our common values and who would attack the require services and goods; and new duties on public ideals that made this country so great and its people bodies to address discrimination based on socio-economic free. Here in London, four gay men have been murdered, disadvantage. The Bill is but the latest in a long line of and we have seen dramatic increases in homophobic Bills brought in by this Government since 1997 that attacks. This kind of hate crime, which is deplored by extend opportunity for all while ensuring the protection the vast majority of people, must not be allowed to of all, and I greatly welcome it. continue. We have to turn our backs on those who seek As someone who began his career as a social worker, to drive division and hatred between us and who and who has retained the values and ethos of would see our great country turn in on itself and away empowerment and support for independence that from the universal rights that so many have fought for underpins that profession, I must also welcome the and lost their lives defending. Bill on personal care at home. The Bill fulfils the We saw last week the first ever Remembrance Day Prime Minister’s promise for free personal care at commemoration without a surviving member of the home for those with the highest need, so that they can Armed Forces from World War 1. It is our duty to remain in their own home. Who among us would not ensure that their memory is never tainted or their want to see our parents or grandparents, when they sacrifice forgotten by letting the forces of hatred and are at their most vulnerable, able to remain in their racism ever gain another foothold in our minds or own home for the longest possible time? I am sure that hearts. I know that noble Lords will join me in that we will have a number of interesting and perhaps battle, and that is why I am so proud to be a Member challenging debates about the Bill, but I hope that of this House. I am reminded every day of the importance your Lordships share with me the commitment to of what we do and the trust that is bestowed upon us. I fairness and justice that this and much else in the am grateful for the opportunity to be here and I am gracious Speech sets out today. thankful to noble Lords and all those who have helped I should also briefly mention the digital economy me to play whatever small part I can. I am also Bill, which promises so much in the delivery of a grateful to have served in a Government and under a communications infrastructure fit for the 21st century. Prime Minister who stand up for the values that I hold I am myself a great lover of the internet and all that it dear. As the gracious Speech shows us, they are committed brings, although I did have some problems of my own to strengthening and protecting those values. last year when I came into conflict with a number of My Lords, this has been a great pleasure. supporters of a certain party recently represented on “Question Time”. I shall not delay noble Lords now with the details of the disagreement I caused. Let us Motion to Adjourn just say that, during a visit to a particular city, I failed Moved by Lord Strathclyde to see the value in discussing the ways in which we can overcome extremism in this country with members of That this debate be adjourned until tomorrow. a party that count among their friends those who would see the far right once more rise to power in Europe. I am not, of course, referring to Her Majesty’s 4.02 pm Loyal Opposition. Lord Strathclyde: My Lords, as I listened to the So, having refused to indulge them with my presence, gracious Speech, I counted 13 new Bills. I did wonder I found myself the subject of an intense and somewhat if that unlucky number was a portent of the fate of its vulgar internet campaign. I remember, over the whole authors sometime in the next few months. If so, it did weekend, reading pages and pages of internet blogs not faze the noble Baroness, Lady Symons of Vernham calling me any number of names and epitaphs, none of Dean, or the noble Lord, Lord Patel of Bradford, which I can repeat here. The culmination of this was whom it is my pleasant duty to congratulate on moving on the Sunday evening, at the height of this small and seconding this Motion today. trouble, when I came across a front-page piece all The noble Baroness became a Member of your about me—where I was born, what school I went to, Lordships’ House in 1996 as part of the nouvelle what jobs and roles I have had over the years. Becoming vague of Mr Blair’s Cool Britannia. Unlike so much of slightly unnerved, I continued to the end of this long that now vanished era, the noble Baroness always was, document, and I suppose that I was somewhat relieved and is still, cool. Her intelligence, good humour, charm to find that my detractors had not done their homework and integrity shone out in her speech today. She was a as well as I had thought. In their final attempt to fine public servant and dedicated trade unionist—both disgrace me, they had published a picture of me. badges of honour—before entering the House. Within However, when I scrolled down to look at the picture, I months of coming here, she was a Minister in the saw that it was not a picture of me. It was a picture of Foreign Office, Defence and Trade departments. She my friend from the Cross Benches, the noble Lord, never put a foot wrong as a Minister or as a servant of 11 Queen’s Speech (First Day)[LORDS] Queen’s Speech (First Day) 12

[LORD STRATHCLYDE] two pounds into one? Did none of the clever people in the House when she was Deputy Leader in 2003 to No. 10 see the absurdity of a Prime Minister who has 2005. Many of us expected her to go forward, on presided over the most ruinous, and still mounting, merit, to a place in Cabinet, but she turned her hand expansion of the national debt in peacetime proposing instead to business, where she has had equally great to halve it by passing a law? Sadly, a debt accumulated success as she did on the trade union side of the table. by folly, imprudence and a spending boom has exploded Can I say what a pleasure it was to have her back in in a catastrophic national bust, and I do not think it such a prominent part in our debates? To propose this will be wafted away by law. It will be paid off only by Motion is a high distinction; how well she deserved hard choices, sacrifices and the sweat and toil of the and graced it. British people, whose future, often their very pensions, The noble Lord, Lord Patel of Bradford, came to has been mortgaged in this debt. Instead of passing us as a so-called “people’s Peer”, being sent here in laws about the national debt, we should have had a May 2006 by the commission chaired by the noble general election and a new Government to start dealing Lord, Lord Stevenson, as one of those independent of with it. party affiliation. The noble Lord has since played a Then again, we have a proposed new law to guarantee frequent part in our debates. The House always listens better education. If only it were so easy—as though to him with care as one who brings immense experience law can deliver what only good teachers can if they are in the fields of mental health, drug use and social spared, as a new Government will spare them, the cohesion. A recent biography of the noble Lord said constant meddling of bureaucracy unleashed on schools that his work is distinguished by his insistence that the since 1997. We have a proposed new law, “to narrow subject of any research should benefit from being part the gap between rich and poor”. Has anyone dared tell of that research. The noble Lord certainly put that the Prime Minister that he has had over 12 years of principle into practice in his research into your Lordships’ running our economy and the gap between rich and House, for in under two years he abandoned the Cross poor has widened? Nearly 5 million people are Benches and emerged last October as a Whip in a unemployed or on incapacity benefit, and one in five Labour Government. Now, he has left that role too young people cannot find a job. After years of new and sits as a Back Bencher, not as a people’s Peer, but Labour, the cycle of deprivation and poverty is worse as a member of the people’s party. Few have moved in this country than ever before. with such agility around your Lordships’ House and, You cannot solve problems by passing laws to deal having heard the noble Lord speak so elegantly again with issues that you failed to solve when invited to do today, I must tell him that if he wishes to continue his so by the British people three times in the past. This research, I am sure there would be a place on the concept of legislation—of abolishing the national debt, Benches behind me, and he would be made very welcome. poverty and educational underachievement by law—has I join the noble Baroness, Lady Symons of Vernham not been seen since the weakest of late Roman emperors Dean, in what she said about the past 12 months in passed law after law ordering the troops back to this House. Last year was a very difficult year in your barracks and the barbarians back across the frontier: Lordships’ House, one in which we had to draw deep and just look what happened to them. on our ancient experience and apply powers we had Like many noble Lords, I have read for days the not used for a century and a half to deal with abuses of leaks and the pre-briefing. We read stories of Ministers the House. Under the skilled leadership of the noble boasting of the most political speech for years, of Baroness, Lady Royall, your Lordships met that challenge wanting to use the gracious Speech to create dividing swiftly and firmly, showing yet again how much there lines. I read of cunning wheezes devised in the Prime is in the flexibility and freedom of self-regulation and Minister’s Strategy Unit or by those bosom buddies, showing too that your Lordships’ sound collective the Lord President of the Council and Mr Balls, to judgment can be trusted. trap the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives into We will soon face new challenges, against the unhappy the wrong side of a couple of headlines in the Daily background of a press campaign, in accommodating Mail. This obsession with headlines before reality ourselves to the valuable report of the noble and right sums up everything that is wrong with this dying reverend Lord, Lord Eames, which we will debate later Government. At a time when we need unity and this month, and in the report shortly to be published common purpose, the Government plot division and by the SSRB. I hope that the SSRB understands the party advantage. major differences between an unpaid, non-representative One of the most striking things in the Speech was House such as this and another place, for this place Her Majesty’s reference to the 60th anniversary of the cannot operate without the readiness of Peers often Commonwealth and her attendance at CHOGM—the to make sacrifices to attend. Not all occasions are as Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. What splendid or inviting as the State Opening of Parliament— a lasting force for good the Commonwealth is, and just try day four in Grand Committee on the local how much it owes to Her Majesty’s personal and democracy Bill with the Liberal Democrats at the unswerving vision and dedication. I hope that on that crease—but I know that your Lordships will response occasion your Lordships might consider a Loyal Address constructively and reasonably to independent to thank Her Majesty for her service to a great recommendations when they are soundly based. international institution. After all, she has been there So here we are debating the last gracious Speech of from the beginning. this Parliament and, despite the worth while things in Turning to ourselves—always a popular subject in it, it would be all too easy to mock. There will be a this House—I know that the sharp eared among us law to halve the national debt. Is it intended to turn will have noticed, as did the noble Baroness, Lady 13 Queen’s Speech (First Day)[18 NOVEMBER 2009] Queen’s Speech (First Day) 14

Symons of Vernham Dean, a reference to a draft Bill, legislation of the elected Government and to try to no less, on a reformed second Chamber with a democratic stamp its authority on another place. The House has mandate. In 1994, in the month in which he became taken some notable stands. The struggle over Leader of the Opposition declared in his and extended detention without trial—matters which keynote speech: were never put to the British people at an election—come “The House of Lords should be replaced by an elected second to mind. We have improved many Bills within our Chamber”. place as a revising Chamber. But, at the end of the Now, more than 15 years later, we have proposals day, if the other place has insisted in a considered for a draft Bill. In between, we have had the proposals manner, we have normally, properly deferred to the of my noble friend Lord Wakeham and his royal elected House. The events of 1999 cast doubt on the commission; the noble and learned Lord, Lord Irvine relations between the two Houses, but since then your of Lairg, who had two goes at it; the late ; Lordships, in your wisdom, have found an equilibrium. the noble and learned Lord, Lord Falconer of Thoroton; Although highhanded at first, the Government for and now Mr Jack Straw. In that time, however, we have their part have come to respect rather more the advice never seen so much as a whiff of a Bill for a democratic of this place. Although its judgment can always be mandate. made final, it is a good thing for another place to take time to reflect on what your Lordships say, rather than Now, at the midnight hour, a draft Bill is whisked coming out with knee-jerk reactions that whatever is out of the box. If the intention is to create a dividing suggested here today will be overturned tomorrow. I line, we will not play ball, but if it is meant seriously, hope that it will stay that way. But the system also albeit impossibly late, can the noble Baroness, who works because we, the unelected House, whether the will have had a hand in crafting this daring little Opposition was the largest political party or not, have sentence in the Speech, tell us how your Lordships will respected well established conventions. We do not be permitted a say on plans for our future? disrupt; we do not wreck; we do not claim a rival Even if we count the days before Christmas, there mandate; we do not delay. My party guarantees that, are just 28 days left to legislate before a March election win or lose next year, that respect between the Houses and 41 before a May one. How many of the proposed will remain. Bills will be starters in this House? That will help to From the position of Leader of the Opposition, on make progress, but it will not put a quart into a pint this the last gracious Speech of this Parliament, I pot. With four parliamentary days being the minimum should like to thank Peers on all sides, in this world to get the smallest Bill through with normal scrutiny where politics is so exaggeratedly derided, for their by this House—it looks as though some of these Bills constant commitment and dedication to the work of will take several days in Committee—this is a fantasy this House. From our different perspectives, I like to programme, as the Government know full well. There think we have come together to give good advice and is no question of delay, but every Bill must be properly to make better law. I fear that this speech before us has scrutinised because, if passed, it becomes the law of little to be made of it. But I know that in the serious the land. This House cannot surrender its duty to see tasks ahead in future Parliaments, your Lordships will that the law is sound just to oblige a Government on approach the great responsibilities of this House with whom the sands of time are running out. We will act the same good sense, good will and balance you have responsibly, but we will not needlessly cut corners. shown these past 12 years. I beg to move that this That needs to be understood from the very start, and I debate be adjourned until tomorrow. suspect that the noble Lord, Lord McNally, will be of the same view. Rushed law is almost invariably botched 4.18 pm law. We will hold up nothing, but we will wave nothing Lord McNally: My Lords, before I go into the meat through unless such urgency is overwhelmingly in the of my speech, I should comment on what I thought national interest. was a rather muted cheer from the government Benches I hope that no stones will be cast at this House for when the noble Baroness, Lady Symons, paid tribute doing its job. We all know that we will be back for the to the Chief Whip. same ceremony in a few months’ time. This is the first time in many years that we have had a fifth Session Noble Lords: Oh! speech. The year 1991 provided a rare exception to a rule of the past 50 years—1963, 1978, 1996—that a fifth Session speech often precedes major political Lord McNally: Listen, my Lords. I have a definition change. Whatever happens next, this is my eleventh of being a Chief Whip: speech on this occasion from the Dispatch Box and, “Being chief whip is a case of endeavouring to give information one way or another, it may well be my last as Opposition early and being very pleasant to people”. Leader. It has been a great privilege. That is the opinion of my noble friend Lord Shutt. It In these days of restless constitutional change, the certainly fits, especially with an enforcer like Josie. House, in often difficult and contentious circumstances, My first and most pleasant duty is to add my has acquitted itself well. Since 1997, we have passed congratulations to the proposer and seconder of the more than 400 Labour Government Bills. Many have humble Address. The noble Baroness, Lady Symons not been the best Bills. The fact that we have had of Vernham Dean, as the noble Lord, Lord Patel of nearly 50 criminal justice Bills does not suggest that Bradford, reminded us, has had a most distinguished the Home Office got it right the first time round. It has trade union career, followed by an equally successful not been the place of this House to challenge the ministerial career. She is now one of the grandes 15 Queen’s Speech (First Day)[LORDS] Queen’s Speech (First Day) 16

[LORD MCNALLY] The sad fact is that the Prime Minister is now a very dames of the House, sitting usually on the Privy Council lonely goatherd. There is a death rattle about the Bench like a Baroness Trumpington in waiting. The Government that the gracious Speech did little to noble Lord, Lord Patel, comes to us with an outstanding dispel. On both the economy and constitutional reform, record of community and educational service on both there is a desperate scramble to get on the record sides of the Pennines. I can bring to the House the intentions to do things that have been left undone. On information that that record is approved by no less a the economy, recent events have made a mockery of person than the noble Lord, Lord Greaves, of Pendle. the Prime Minister’s hubris in his decade-long claim to Ministers will know that it is not the easiest thing to have removed boom and bust from the economic get the seal of approval from the noble Lord, Lord cycle, based on a housing bubble and loose credit. On Greaves, of Pendle. Indeed, successive leaders of the constitutional reform, the Government do not have Liberal Democrats have found that it is not that easy. even the fig leaf of world events to cover their failures. Although he is no longer in his place, I shall use this It is almost beyond belief that a Labour Government, opportunity to welcome back to the House the noble equipped with large parliamentary majorities, which Lord, Lord Barnett, who gave us a scare a few weeks would have been increased further by support from ago. However, it has now been made clear to him that the Liberal Democrats, waited until the last six months in no way can he leave us until he has given us the of their third Parliament to bring forward ideas on answer to the Barnett formula. electoral reform, Commons reform and Lords reform. One of the pleasures of speaking in this slot at the The rush of good intentions is easy to understand. very beginning of the Queen’s Speech debate is that it The electorate now see clearly that reform is a matter gives me the opportunity to follow my very good not just for anoraks who attend Constitution Unit and friend, the noble Lord, Lord Strathclyde. As he has Hansard Society seminars. People now understand reminded us, it is his 11th speech as Leader of the that there is a direct linkage between the quality of the Opposition. That continuity encouraged me to do a rules that govern our politics and the quality of governance little historical research. The noble Lord, Lord Strathclyde, that such rules provide. As one newspaper put it the has now been Leader of the Opposition for longer other day, if the Conservatives emerge from the upcoming than the 10-year record in the 20th century of the election with a 5 per cent lead in the popular vote but noble Lord, Lord Richard. I researched further and without a parliamentary majority, even they might found that only Lord in the 19th century spent concede that the present voting system frustrates rather longer as opposition leader—17 years. Tom, I tell you than reflects the will of the people. with all sincerity that there are many in this House As for Lords and Commons reform, the sad truth is who would like to see you go on and beat Lord that this Labour Government have missed the boat Derby’s record. and the Conservatives have never wanted to catch it in Last year I introduced the concept of “boing” into the first place. Voters in the general election will be left our study of politics. For those noble Lords who were in no doubt that only a vote for the Liberal Democrats not awake at the time, “boing” is the phenomenon, will guarantee that electoral and parliamentary reform rather like the echo of Big Ben across the Thames are pursued with the vigour that the present crisis of from St Tommy’s hospital, whereby a good idea from confidence in our politics demands. the Liberal Democrats is played back a short time later as government policy. The concept is now so fully In the mean time, we will look at the constitutional accepted that I understand that the noble Lord, Lord measures in the Queen’s Speech and those presently Norton of Louth, is running seminars on it at the before Parliament with an eye to the national good. University of Hull. We are not interested in simply making running repairs to the reputation of a Government who have spent This year I should like to bring another concept— 10 years arguing in Cabinet and dithering in government. “pouffe”. “Pouffe” is what happens when a notable talent joins the Prime Minister’s Government as one As my right honourable friend has of the GOATs. They appear at the Dispatch Box; we pointed out, this gracious Speech is no more than a all admire them—and then “pouffe”. The noble Lord, charade concocted by a Government who have run Lord Jones—“pouffe”. The noble Lord, Lord Carter— out of ideas but who dare not go to the country. As a “pouffe”. The noble Baroness, Lady Vadera—“pouffe”. result, we find ourselves in a political never-never land The noble Lord, Lord Darzi—“pouffe”. The noble of the Government’s own making. We will co-operate Lord, Lord Malloch-Brown—“pouffe”. with those measures where urgency is required—for There are two notable exceptions. Who can read the example, the digital revolution mentioned by the noble first lines of the epic poem “Casabianca” without Lord, Lord Patel. The technological changes around bringing into mind the behaviour of the noble Lord, it do not work to a government or parliamentary Lord West of Spithead? We all know the first lines: timetable, so we will help where we can with the “The boy stood on the burning deck, Digital Britain Bill. Whence all but he had fled”. Let me lay down a marker, however, to both Labour The admiral, good sailor that he is, has clearly decided and Conservative parties: whatever Faustian pacts for to go down with the ship. In contrast is the case of the electoral support they try to make with international noble Lord, Lord Sugar, who seems to have gone from media moguls, we on these Benches will fight tooth landing stage to lifeboat without bothering to join the and nail to protect the integrity of our public service ship at all. [Laughter.] The Benches opposite are not broadcasting. The battle will go beyond the Digital supposed to laugh at that. The noble Lord, Lord Britain Bill and the general election and into the next Mandelson, is not laughing. Parliament, but I am grateful to Mr James Murdoch, 17 Queen’s Speech (First Day)[18 NOVEMBER 2009] Queen’s Speech (First Day) 18 the Sun newspaper and the behaviour of Fox News in will and will not be allowing through this House— the United States for so clearly drawing the battle represents a political party which at least would like to lines. I find it shaming to watch the government and be presenting its programme in the gracious Speech opposition parties fawning over people to whom today. However, I think it is discourteous, to say the Mr Baldwin or Mr Attlee would not have given the least, for his party leader to describe today the gracious time of day. I know that times have changed, but being Speech of Her Majesty as “a waste of time”. But the the best politician a media mogul can buy does not noble Lord, Lord McNally, represents in this House a seem to me to be a qualification for high office. party which apparently would, according to the noble I have reached the point in my speech where I Lord’s party Leader—though even he admitted it would usually promise the Government support where we be a “tall order”—have cancelled today’s gracious think that their proposals are good and constructive Speech and put forward no legislative programme at criticism where we think that they are bad. However, all. Welcome, my Lords, to the weird and wonderful over the next week, my colleagues will use the debate world of the Liberal Democrats. on the gracious Speech to look beyond this charade Leaving aside the politics, in following the noble within a charade. We will expose the quite literal Lords, Lord Strathclyde and Lord McNally, I do want bankruptcy of the Government’s case, but we shall to thank them both for all that they do—not so much also point out that a Conservative Party that aspires to for their parties, obviously; politics is politics, after lead must explain how it intends to defend Britain’s all—for the House as a whole. The nature of this interest in trade talks, climate change, energy security House, and one of its very many plus points, is that or the war on drug trafficking, people trafficking and we, as Leaders, work closely together. But not too terrorism while alienating itself from the broad centre closely. Sadly, both the noble Lords, Lord Strathclyde right in Europe and making common cause with its and Lord McNally, were absent from the House a more eccentric fringes. Indeed, there was a timely little earlier this year when they were both, separately, warning on that from the Lord Mayor in this week’s struck down with swine flu. From the amount of time Mansion House speech. which as Leader you spend with your opposite numbers My party has a more solid bedrock of support than from the principal opposition parties, I clearly might it has had in over 80 years. It has demonstrated its be categorised as being in a high-risk group. However, capacity to take responsibility in government in six I have managed to avoid catching it thus far. out of our eight largest cities. It has been shown to be They have a close and interesting relationship right on the major issues of the day—on the environment, themselves. The noble Lord, Lord Strathclyde, has , the economy and the urgent need for radical something of a reputation for punctuality, one that constitutional reform to bring fair votes and a clean from time to time he pushes to extremes, and even Parliament. Like the noble Lord, Lord Strathclyde, we perhaps occasionally beyond the extremes. Just before will do our job on these Benches as long as the last week’s Prorogation ceremony, the noble Lord, Government keep us here, but we are ready to take our Lord Strathclyde, was testing his devotion to punctuality case to the country whenever the Government dare to to the very limits of the concept, and had not yet go. In the mean time, can take satisfaction arrived in the Prince’s Chamber while everyone else in the fact that the song that it came in singing is now was robed up and ready to go. Perhaps slightly curiously, sung by the whole country—“Things Can Only Get the noble Lord, Lord McNally, then likened the noble Better”. Lord, Lord Strathclyde, to the classic crooner, Bing Crosby, pointing out that Bing was widely known in 4.31 pm the recording business as “One-Take Crosby” for his The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Baroness habit of turning up at the very last minute, and making Royall of Blaisdon): My Lords, it is again an enormous a single-take but definitive recording. At that moment, pleasure and privilege for me to follow the noble the noble Lord, Lord Strathclyde, arrived and we processed Lords, Lord Strathclyde and Lord McNally. I very into the Chamber for our single take at Prorogation. much hope that the electorate will allow me to be able Not many of us have, I think, previously noticed the to say the same next year. As we all know, we are now similarity between the noble Lord, Lord Strathclyde, election bound, so every political journalist has been and Bing Crosby but we are, as ever, grateful to the saying that this is the final gracious Speech and the noble Lord, Lord McNally, for his insights. final programme from this Government before the If the noble Lord, Lord Strathclyde, is Bing Crosby, general election. Some have gone further in their use perhaps the noble Lord, Lord McNally, could be seen of the word “final”, insisting that the programme set as his long-time partner in the “Road To…”films, Bob out in today’s gracious Speech will be the final programme Hope, with all the jokes if not quite yet all the longevity. from this Labour Government. Well, we shall have to Hope is, after all, pretty important to opposition wait and see. The media may well be powerful and parties. After the Conservative Party’s defeats in 1997, may see themselves as the fount of all wisdom, but 2001 and 2005, a win in next year’s election for the the actual decision will not be for the media. In this party of the noble Lord, Lord Strathclyde, would be a country, the decision is taken by the people, not the triumph of hope over experience. Given that the last papers. Liberal Administration in this country were elected in Today, we as the Government have set out our 1910, the outcome of the coming general election for legislative programme for the coming Session in the the party of the noble Lord, Lord McNally—ever gracious Speech. The Leader of the Opposition in this hopeful, ever optimistic and ever just on the point of House, the noble Lord, Lord Strathclyde—as well as breaking through—is, sadly for them, much more helpfully informing the press this morning what he likely to be a triumph of experience over hope. 19 Queen’s Speech (First Day)[LORDS] Queen’s Speech (First Day) 20

[BARONESS ROYALL OF BLAISDON] That choice is also the principal theme behind the In paying tribute to both Tom and Tom for everything Government’s programme as set out in the gracious that they do for your Lordship’s House, however, I Speech—a programme of tough action on the big would very much like to associate the Convenor of the issues that matter to people, in line with the Government’s Cross Benches, the noble Baroness, Lady D’Souza, core values of fairness and responsibility. In line with with my remarks. As well as being an excellent convenor this argument, the Government’s programme for the of her flock, the noble Baroness plays an essential part coming Session is substantial, so, as well as ensuring in the running and operation of this House. She is protection for savers and lenders by continuing to wonderfully sage and steady, and manages extraordinarily reform the regulation of the financial services industry, well the difficult balancing act of involving Cross-Bench we will bring forward legislation to strengthen governance Peers as fully as possible in the work and running of in the financial sector and to deal with excessive bank the House, while at all times strenuously maintaining bonuses. We will bring forward legislation enshrining strict political neutrality and independence. It is a in law the objective to halve the current deficit. We will remarkable achievement for the benefit of the whole ensure that debt is at a sustainable level. House. I am particularly focused on the Personal Care at In the leadership that all three demonstrate, they Home Bill, which will be an enormous step towards a are a credit to their respective groupings and to this new national care service. This will be an important House, which has an enormous amount for which to issue for my party in the coming Session and the thank them. Yet with the general election coming up, coming election; and an important issue, too, for the there will be little or no room between the principal hundreds of thousands of carers in this country, who political parties for political neutrality. It will be an spend too much of their time still battling with the important and a hard-fought election. It will be an system. Our legislation on the digital economy will election where we as the governing party on these modernise our communications infrastructure, helping Benches will be proud to stand and fight on our to create jobs and growth in this vital sector. Like the record. If the opinion polls are right, however, we go noble Lord, Lord McNally, I also believe that my into the election as the underdog. We know that we party wishes to defend public sector broadcasting. have a hill to climb, but we know too that we will be presenting the public with a clear choice: between this We will continue to enshrine in law our commitment party, which will offer change for the mainstream to abolish child poverty over the next decade. We will middle of the country, and the party opposite, which bring in legislation to support carbon capture and will offer change to the benefit of the privileged few— storage, and to help the most vulnerable people in change of the right kind against change of the wrong society with their energy bills. We will legislate on kind. gang crime, pupil and parent guarantees, bribery and further reform of this House. Further to the Constitutional That choice will be spelt out in the key issues on Reform and Governance Bill, which the Government which the Government will continue to focus in this have already introduced in the other place, my right new parliamentary Session. There will be a relentless honourable friend the Lord Chancellor will bring forward focus on the economy, moving Britain out of a recession legislative proposals to provide a democratic mandate generated by the world economic slowdown, and back for this Chamber—a policy that I know the party toward growth and jobs. We will continue to fight hard opposite is on record as fully supporting. I note the against crime and against anti-social behaviour. We very right question of the noble Lord, Lord Strathclyde, will focus on public services, especially parent and about how this House will be fully involved. I will patient rights, cancer and national social care. We inform the House when I can of what its involvement believe in the enabling power of the state—a smarter will be. As my right honourable friend the Prime state—unlike the party opposite, which seeks to use Minister said at our party’s annual conference earlier the recession to shrink the state and diminish its role. this autumn, at the forthcoming election we will ask We will focus on environmental issues, especially in the the public for “a clear mandate to make this House an wake of the outcome of the Copenhagen summit next accountable and democratic second Chamber for the month, on Afghanistan and on the new Europe, following very first time”. the commencement next month of the new arrangements following the ratified Lisbon treaty. This is a good programme and a substantial programme. It is a programme ahead of an election, of On all of those issues, our position is clear. I am course, but it is a proper legislative programme, laying much less clear about the position of the party opposite, foundations for the future. A number of Bills in the but that is because the party opposite is much less Government’s programme will begin their parliamentary clear on them and, indeed, on many, many other passage in your Lordships’ House. I can confirm that issues. That, too, will form part of the choice before these will include a Bill on bribery, a Bill on the digital the British public: a clear programme and a serious economy and a Bill on cluster munitions. I want to record under Labour, and a shadowy punt in the dark thank the Members of this House, especially my noble from the party opposite. The vision for Britain of the friend Lord Dubs and the noble Lord, Lord Elton, for party opposite is fundamentally pessimistic, of a Britain all the work that they have done over many years, that is broken. Our vision is the opposite: forging a which has helped to bring this Bill about. stronger, fairer Britain for the many not the few, with action against inaction, solid achievement against slick Other Bills may also start in this House, depending salesmanship, policy-driven politics against personality- on the outcome of discussions. A good deal of the driven politics and substance against superficiality. House’s time immediately, though, will focus on the That will be the choice. Government’s Bill on equalities—and a good deal of 21 Queen’s Speech (First Day)[18 NOVEMBER 2009] Queen’s Speech (First Day) 22 my time, too, as I will be the Minister with principal ambulance workers who go on to be university academics, responsibility for taking the Bill through this House, rather fewer still who then come into your Lordships’ together with my noble friend Lady Thornton. Of House. His advisory and then Front-Bench work with course, we look to all sides of your Lordships’ House the Department for Communities and Local Government for support for this very important Bill. It may well be on community relations and drugs-related issues was that, for all I know, the Bill’s provisions against the powerful and of real value. He is now pursuing work scourge of discrimination on grounds of age will of great importance at his university. The pressure of prove particularly popular in this House. We shall see. that work has drawn him away from the Front-Bench I am genuinely delighted to congratulate my noble work he had been carrying out in this House, and his friend Lady Symons of Vernham Dean on her excellent university’s gain is unquestionably this House’s loss. speech. My noble friend’s timely and enormously That point has been very much reinforced in his speech important emphasis on the value of public service—very to your Lordships’ House today. His wit, range, erudition much including the Members of this House—was a and optimism were all to the fore, and I, and I am sure significant and essential corrective to what at times the House as a whole, are grateful to him. recently has been said about both this House and the I thank my ministerial colleagues on these Benches nature, value and importance of public service generally. for the work that they do. We have seen the departure I happen to know that my noble friend Lady Symons of some ministerial colleagues this year, including was, at the weekend, preparing her remarks for moving some of the so-called “goats”. As the principal goatherd the Motion today at the same time as making, stirring in this House—I do not feel at all lonely—I believe and cooking her Christmas cake and Christmas pudding. that these Ministers certainly add a dash and a verve I cannot tell you how I know this, obviously; wild to the House. Recently, when appearing before a Select horses would not be able to tear from my lips the name Committee in the other place, my noble friend Lord of my source. From my knowledge of my noble friend West of Spithead was asked whether he had in fact it is only remarkable that she was merely doing two brought a touch of glitter to your Lordships’ House. things at once, rather than the many things that she My noble friend, whose sense of style and dress is far manages to do at the same time in what is, for her, the from being confined to an annual appearance in ermine normal run of things. on the day of the gracious Speech, confessed, with Her career before she entered your Lordships’ House appropriate modesty, that perhaps his appointment is testament to that, as is her distinguished career in had indeed added a certain glitter. government. In your Lordships’ House she of course My noble friend Lord Adonis, once outrageously served as Deputy Leader and, indeed, in my opinion described by one of our journalistic friends as “more was the best Leader that this House never had. I take Andrew than Adonis”, was also giving evidence, and an opportunity to pay special tribute to my noble was faced with a question from the chair of the friend Lady Jay of Paddington, a former Leader who committee saying, “I do not want you to think, Andrew, has a very significant birthday today; I am sure we all that the glitter question does not apply to you”. My wish her well. Since stepping down from the Government, noble friend Lord Adonis replied with his characteristic my noble friend Lady Symons has been equally energetic. self-deprecation that he thought he perhaps had not As well as her extensive work beyond this House, she been brought into your Lordships’ House solely for is a highly active and involved Member of your Lordships’ the purpose of adding glitter. All I can say is that my House—a formidable debater, a tireless diplomat and noble friend Lord Adonis is indeed an adornment to a complete advocate of and for this House. From time these Benches, and to the whole House. to time I look at my noble friend and thank my lucky stars that she is on this side of the Chamber. As Lord I am glad to see some of the newer Members of Wellington remarked, “I don’t know what effect she your Lordships’ House getting on so well. I was especially has on the enemy, but by God, she terrifies me”. She is, struck by how quickly one particular newcomer, my and has been, an extraordinarily wise and generous noble friend Lord Mandelson, who does not do fawning, counsel to me, and—if I may speak personally for a had moved from being The Spectator magazine’s moment—I know all too well the impact on her family newcomer of the year last year to the same magazine’s life of the day-by-day, week-by-week, weekend-by-weekend politician of the year this year—a move with something work carried out on behalf of this House and all its of the speed of an express train and, like an express Members. I am proud to call her a friend. train, without, as it were, stopping at any intervening stations. It even indicates that he may perhaps have And so too with my noble friend Lord Patel of had just a touch of experience of politics before entering Bradford. I also thank my noble friend for his delightful your Lordships’ House. speech. He rightly and courageously referred to his own trajectory in this House. Though that caused I pay tribute, too, to all the government Whips, ably some comment at the time, his contribution today and led by my noble friend Lord Bassam of Brighton, for all his work in the House as a Cross-Bencher, a Back- the enormous amount of work and responsibility that Bencher and a Front-Bencher clearly demonstrate what they take on. I give especial thanks to all in the Whips’ an important asset he is to your Lordships’ House. His Office for the, I hope, unseen but essential contribution work in social care, healthcare, mental health, on the that they make to the running of this House. Though drugs issue, equality and diversity demonstrates a the Lord Speaker is far from unseen in this Chamber, range and a commitment, as well as formidable knowledge she, too, makes an essential contribution. I am delighted and expertise, which single him out in your Lordships’ to see her in her place today, and I thank her for all the House. What he has done before coming to your help and support that she has given me in particular Lordships’ House is astonishing. There are few, if any, over the past year. All those who work in and around 23 Queen’s Speech (First Day)[LORDS] Chairman of Committees 24

[BARONESS ROYALL OF BLAISDON] went as well as it did. We passed 22 government Bills this House to help make it what it is deserve and have and five other Bills reached Royal Assent. We took our heartfelt thanks, especially on a day like today 66 Oral Statements. We debated 56 Questions for when they pull out all the plugs. Short Debate. A total of 484 Oral Questions were This House saw significant change this year with answered by Ministers and Whips, and, by the end of the departure of the Law Lords to the new Supreme last week, a total of 6,337 Questions for Written Court. We rightly and properly paid tribute to that Answer were, indeed, answered. important change in October. The opening of the Only in this House could a series of Oral Questions Supreme Court was one of the high points of the year. about bees be given, quite properly, the attention that There have, though, been low points too, and those the issue deserves. Only in this House could distinguished low points have been very low. Parliament and politics former senior members of the Armed Forces make have indeed been brought low this year, principally clear their criticism of the Government. It is not because of the activities of a minority of Members of criticism that I share or like, but I absolutely support the other place, but not wholly so: sadly, this House their right to voice their views in this House. Only in has contributed too. Just because most of the public this House could issues such as assisted dying be focus has been on the Commons, we in this House considered in such a decent, learned, knowledgeable cannot be complacent—and we have not been. We and thoughtful way. have taken action—decisive action—which some thought That is the House of Lords of which we are all was beyond us. But it was action which showed that Members. That is the House of Lords of which we are this House has been, is and will be resolute in defending all proud to be Members. It is not the House of Lords proper principles and proper practices and in not as some seek to paint it, week by week, in the Sunday seeking to defend principles and practices which are papers, because we know that we have a House of far from proper. Lords which is informed, reasonable, wise and valuable. I said back in January that this House is an honourable It is a House of Lords which is a central part of the and hardworking place. We must sustain the many, legislative process and of Parliament, and it is a House many good things it does, the way it does them, and of Lords which is one of the essential checks and the people who do them here. However, I said then, balances of the constitution of our country. too, that if there are wrongs with this House, they Like many, indeed most of its Members, I love this must be righted, and if there are abuses, they must be House: what it does, how it does it, why it does it, what rooted out. We must put this House—our own House—in it is for. And, of course, I thank the people in it, on all order. I meant that then, and I mean it now. sides, and what they bring to the House. We know that there has been an unprecedented I am proud to be Leader of this House, and although degree of scrutiny of this House and Members of this my loyalty to my party is fundamental—I am proud to House. Some of it has been inaccurate. Some of it has be a member of the people’s party—I am particularly been unfair. Some of it has been grossly distorted. But proud that my role is Leader not just of the Government some of it, though uncomfortable, has provided important Benches, but of the House as a whole. My job is to and legitimate scrutiny. Where that has been the case, lead this House, and that is what I have tried to do we have taken action. As a result, we in this House over the past year. My job is to serve this House, and face some important decisions in the immediate future. that too is what I have tried to do over the past year. It is a job that I am proud and privileged, and at the First, on our code of conduct for Members of this same time humbled, to do. It is a job that I relish, House, the group I set up as Leader under the despite the difficulties we have faced together. That is chairmanship of the noble and reverend Lord, Lord why I look forward to seeing and hearing the House at Eames, to examine and make recommendations on its best over the next few days, when it debates the our code of conduct has produced what I believe the issues which will form the basis of the coming Session overwhelming majority of Members of this House and of the election to follow. consider to be an excellent report. Secondly, on the review into financial support for Members of this I look forward to the debates on the gracious House currently being carried out by the Senior Salaries Speech; I look forward to the final Session of this Review Body, we do not yet have a final date for Parliament; I look forward to the general election to publication, although my understanding is that it will come; and I commend the gracious Speech to the be published shortly. Both issues will lead to important House. decisions for this House, but I know that the House Debate adjourned until tomorrow. will take them with its usual judgment, balance and wisdom. Chairman of Committees We have had a very challenging year—a year in which politics and Parliament, the other place and, yes, this House too, have faced real controversy and 4.55 pm real public anger. But it was a year in which we have, Moved By Baroness Royall of Blaisdon despite all the challenges, got on with the business of what we do. In this House last week, we completed That the noble Lord, Lord Brabazon of Tara, be a lengthy and arduous Session. We sat for a total of appointed to take the Chair in all Committees of 134 days, and I thank the business managers and the the House for this Session. usual channels for all the skill they applied and the hard work they put in to make sure that the Session Motion agreed nemine dissentiente. 25 Chairman of Committees[18 NOVEMBER 2009] Stoppages in the Streets 26

Principal Deputy Chairman of Committees Stoppages in the Streets It was ordered that the Commissioner of Police of the Moved By Baroness Royall of Blaisdon Metropolis do take care that the passages through the streets leading to this House be kept free and open and That the noble Lord, Lord Roper, be appointed that no obstruction be permitted to hinder the passage Principal Deputy Chairman of Committees for this of Lords to and from this House during the sitting of Session. Parliament; or to hinder Lords in the pursuit of their parliamentary duties on the Parliamentary Estate; and that the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod attending this House do communicate this Order to the Commissioner. Motion agreed nemine dissentiente. House adjourned at 4.56 pm.

Volume 715 Wednesday No. 1 18 November 2009

CONTENTS

Wednesday 18 November 2009 List of Government and Principal Office Holders and Staff Queen’s Speech ...... 1 Select Vestries Bill First Reading ...... 3 Queen’s Speech Debate (First Day) ...... 4