My Lords, it is one of the great strengths of the House of Lords that a considerable amount of thinking seems to go on between one debate on a subject and the next time that it comes up. That is a credit to everyone, but today I think credit is...

My Lords, it is one of the great strengths of the House of Lords that a considerable amount of thinking seems to go on between one debate on a subject and the next time that it comes up. That is a credit to everyone, but today I think credit is...

Somebody who has spent as many years in business management as I have knows that there are ways around all sorts of things. However, the fact is that a statutory instrument which is rejected by this House is dead and another way has to be found of dealing with it....

Somebody who has spent as many years in business management as I have knows that there are ways around all sorts of things. However, the fact is that a statutory instrument which is rejected by this House is dead and another way has to be found of dealing with it....

My Lords, we have had three powerful speeches so far. A great deal of what the leaders of the two opposition parties said was about criticising what went on in the House of Commons.

I have some considerable sympathy with that but want to restrict my remarks to what I...

My Lords, we have had three powerful speeches so far. A great deal of what the leaders of the two opposition parties said was about criticising what went on in the House of Commons.

I have some considerable sympathy with that but want to restrict my remarks to what I...

The noble Lord, Lord Butler, has pointed out that we recommended something like my noble friend Lord Strathclyde’s third consideration. I was on the Opposition Benches at the time of the report, if I recall rightly. We made that recommendation because we wanted a better way for this House to...

The noble Lord, Lord Butler, has pointed out that we recommended something like my noble friend Lord Strathclyde’s third consideration. I was on the Opposition Benches at the time of the report, if I recall rightly. We made that recommendation because we wanted a better way for this House to...

My Lords, I have spent a great deal of my political life in government, receiving—and normally taking—the advice of the noble Lord, Lord Butler. He knows, because I have told him, that on this occasion I am not going to agree with him.

I agree that this is a very important...

My Lords, I have spent a great deal of my political life in government, receiving—and normally taking—the advice of the noble Lord, Lord Butler. He knows, because I have told him, that on this occasion I am not going to agree with him.

I agree that this is a very important...

My Lords, like many noble Lords in this House, I have had my say on Lords reform many times in the past. It is 10 years since my royal commission reported, and I still think it was probably the best way forward. At the time, the then Government referred to...

My Lords, like many noble Lords in this House, I have had my say on Lords reform many times in the past. It is 10 years since my royal commission reported, and I still think it was probably the best way forward. At the time, the then Government referred to...

I would say two things to the noble Lord. First, I am not absolutely sure that he is completely right about that. If I recall rightly, for example, in Australia there have been moments of considerable difficulty between the two Houses. Secondly, at the time of the royal commission, if...

I would say two things to the noble Lord. First, I am not absolutely sure that he is completely right about that. If I recall rightly, for example, in Australia there have been moments of considerable difficulty between the two Houses. Secondly, at the time of the royal commission, if...

My Lords, the first thing I would like to do is to congratulate the noble Baroness on proposing the Motion in, as we would have expected, a vigorous and forceful way. She may have been a bit luckier than she anticipated in exactly when her Motion came to be debated,...

My Lords, the first thing I would like to do is to congratulate the noble Baroness on proposing the Motion in, as we would have expected, a vigorous and forceful way. She may have been a bit luckier than she anticipated in exactly when her Motion came to be debated,...

I certainly have no desire for a timetable Motion in this House. I will try to explain why I think that it would be extremely undesirable. That is not to say that it might not be necessary, but I very much hope that it will not. The whole of my...

I certainly have no desire for a timetable Motion in this House. I will try to explain why I think that it would be extremely undesirable. That is not to say that it might not be necessary, but I very much hope that it will not. The whole of my...

My Lords, the noble and learned Lord has made a powerful speech. We waited for it for a long time and it was worth waiting for. I guess his only regret is that he will not be able to sit there with that wise smile on his face for the...

My Lords, the noble and learned Lord has made a powerful speech. We waited for it for a long time and it was worth waiting for. I guess his only regret is that he will not be able to sit there with that wise smile on his face for the...

My Lords, I add my congratulations to the noble Lord, Lord Cunningham, and his colleagues on their unanimous report that we are invited to take note of with approval today. Indeed, a report that has a certain number of favourable references to me and my commission is very likely to...

My Lords, I add my congratulations to the noble Lord, Lord Cunningham, and his colleagues on their unanimous report that we are invited to take note of with approval today. Indeed, a report that has a certain number of favourable references to me and my commission is very likely to...

My Lords, it is my great pleasure to congratulate the noble Baroness, Lady Adams of Craigielea, on her maiden speech. She comes to this House with enormous experience in central and local government. I remember when she first came to the House of Commons just before I left and I...

My Lords, it is my great pleasure to congratulate the noble Baroness, Lady Adams of Craigielea, on her maiden speech. She comes to this House with enormous experience in central and local government. I remember when she first came to the House of Commons just before I left and I...

Whether the practice of answering questions by reference to previous answers does not make the Official Report difficult to read & whether in future when this is done they will repeat the previous Question & Answer.

Whether the practice of answering questions by reference to previous answers does not make the Official Report difficult to read & whether in future when this is done they will repeat the previous Question & Answer.

What was total cost in 1991 of running: House of Commons; House of Lords; & European Parliament. - Inc figures.

What was total cost in 1991 of running: House of Commons; House of Lords; & European Parliament. - Inc figures.

How many former Prime Ministers are seeking accommodation in 6-7 Old Palace Yard.

How many former Prime Ministers are seeking accommodation in 6-7 Old Palace Yard.

How many of those responsible for negotiating an agreement about the future of 6-7 Old Palace Yard are at present accommodated there, or have secretaries accommodated there.

How many of those responsible for negotiating an agreement about the future of 6-7 Old Palace Yard are at present accommodated there, or have secretaries accommodated there.

If he will list the locations of the television sets in his Department which can receive the live television feed from the Chamber, and the total cost to his Department of this service. - Inc figure.

If he will list the locations of the television sets in his Department which can receive the live television feed from the Chamber, and the total cost to his Department of this service. - Inc figure.

To look into ways of shortening the time it takes for green card requests for personal interviews to reach hon Members.

To look into ways of shortening the time it takes for green card requests for personal interviews to reach hon Members.

Further to 156 c154W, to make it the policy to take into account environmental considerations when deciding what is to qualify as first-class stationery.

Further to 156 c154W, to make it the policy to take into account environmental considerations when deciding what is to qualify as first-class stationery.

What progress has been made on proposal that a live relay of proceedings of House be made available to telephone subscribers as part of BT's range of specialist call services. - Incls ref to Select Committee on Sound Broadcasting first report of Session 1986-87 (HC 281) .

What progress has been made on proposal that a live relay of proceedings of House be made available to telephone subscribers as part of BT's range of specialist call services. - Incls ref to Select Committee on Sound Broadcasting first report of Session 1986-87 (HC 281) .