My Lords, I share the view that this takeover proposal is important for the UK economy. My noble friend the Minister refers to legally binding contracts. There have been cases in the past where contracts have not been fulfilled by those taking companies over. What will be the consequences if...

My Lords, I share the view that this takeover proposal is important for the UK economy. My noble friend the Minister refers to legally binding contracts. There have been cases in the past where contracts have not been fulfilled by those taking companies over. What will be the consequences if...

Parliament is always extremely reluctant to give the Executive powers that can be exercised retrospectively. I still have a little difficulty envisaging how these retrospective powers might be used. The Minister appeared to refer to Northern Rock and Bradford & Bingley, and then, I think, recanted and said that they...

Parliament is always extremely reluctant to give the Executive powers that can be exercised retrospectively. I still have a little difficulty envisaging how these retrospective powers might be used. The Minister appeared to refer to Northern Rock and Bradford & Bingley, and then, I think, recanted and said that they...

The noble Lord seems to want to take powers to deal with a situation which he cannot envisage. He cannot give a single example of what the powers might be needed for and it is unwise to give the Government these powers to deal with any situation when they cannot...

The noble Lord seems to want to take powers to deal with a situation which he cannot envisage. He cannot give a single example of what the powers might be needed for and it is unwise to give the Government these powers to deal with any situation when they cannot...

I asked a simple question about whether there is any precedent whatever for the form of words that we see here relaxing the normal arrangements made. Given the form of words, an order can be made—one understands that it may be urgent—and then lapse. However, the clause says that, meanwhile,...

I asked a simple question about whether there is any precedent whatever for the form of words that we see here relaxing the normal arrangements made. Given the form of words, an order can be made—one understands that it may be urgent—and then lapse. However, the clause says that, meanwhile,...

Can the Minister tell us whether there is any precedent in legislation for a clause of this sort? Although it seems to allow orders to be made and subsequently to lapse, what is done in the mean time and without approval can apparently persist just the same. I cannot recall,...

Can the Minister tell us whether there is any precedent in legislation for a clause of this sort? Although it seems to allow orders to be made and subsequently to lapse, what is done in the mean time and without approval can apparently persist just the same. I cannot recall,...

The noble Lord has made two very important points: first, on the protection of accrued rights; and, secondly, on the position of the trustees. I have looked in vain to find any mention of that in the clause. As it is so important, one would have thought that it would...

The noble Lord has made two very important points: first, on the protection of accrued rights; and, secondly, on the position of the trustees. I have looked in vain to find any mention of that in the clause. As it is so important, one would have thought that it would...

I intervene at this point because I have a meeting elsewhere in the House at 4.30 pm and may not be able to speak on whether Clause 71 should stand part of the Bill. I agree with my noble friend on the Front Bench. It seems that this clause enables...

I intervene at this point because I have a meeting elsewhere in the House at 4.30 pm and may not be able to speak on whether Clause 71 should stand part of the Bill. I agree with my noble friend on the Front Bench. It seems that this clause enables...

Are not some of these IT systems likely to be indivisible? In that case, may there not be a need for a continuing continuity arrangement if the system is to work?

Are not some of these IT systems likely to be indivisible? In that case, may there not be a need for a continuing continuity arrangement if the system is to work?

Does the noble Lord realise that if he reads Hansard tomorrow he will find that what he just said does not make sense?

Does the noble Lord realise that if he reads Hansard tomorrow he will find that what he just said does not make sense?

I do not think that there can be any doubt that there is very widespread public concern about the way in which many of those who have been responsible, on bank boards and elsewhere, for the situation in which we now find ourselves have been in receipt of very great...

I do not think that there can be any doubt that there is very widespread public concern about the way in which many of those who have been responsible, on bank boards and elsewhere, for the situation in which we now find ourselves have been in receipt of very great...

Is it the case that if there are five members, the committee continues to operate, but under any of the combinations mentioned in paragraph (e), it ceases to exist at the end of the meeting? I am not clear why sometimes the meeting continues and sometimes it does not.

Is it the case that if there are five members, the committee continues to operate, but under any of the combinations mentioned in paragraph (e), it ceases to exist at the end of the meeting? I am not clear why sometimes the meeting continues and sometimes it does not.

So if the committee has five members it continues, but with any other combination it ceases to exist. Is that right?

So if the committee has five members it continues, but with any other combination it ceases to exist. Is that right?

I hesitate to intervene but one does not like passing legislation when one simply does not understand what it means. Paragraph (e) of subsection (6) reads, "““if no individuals are elected under paragraph (b), or the resulting committee would have fewer than 3 members or an even number of members,...

I hesitate to intervene but one does not like passing legislation when one simply does not understand what it means. Paragraph (e) of subsection (6) reads, "““if no individuals are elected under paragraph (b), or the resulting committee would have fewer than 3 members or an even number of members,...

My Lords, it is always a great pleasure to follow the noble Lord, Lord Desai, and I hope that his warnings will be heard. It is remarkable that in these debates there has been virtually no comment on the unique feature of the Queen’s Speech this year; namely, that the...

My Lords, it is always a great pleasure to follow the noble Lord, Lord Desai, and I hope that his warnings will be heard. It is remarkable that in these debates there has been virtually no comment on the unique feature of the Queen’s Speech this year; namely, that the...