My Lords, the Chancellor’s special economic operation was not as tragic as Mr Putin’s appalling special military operation, but it was pretty tragic for the economic prospects of ordinary people. Since the Budget that was not a Budget, I have met a small business that has shelved its expansion plans,

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My Lords, the Chancellor’s special economic operation was not as tragic as Mr Putin’s appalling special military operation, but it was pretty tragic for the economic prospects of ordinary people. Since the Budget that was not a Budget, I have met a small business that has shelved its expansion plans,

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My Lords, I too echo the concerns of the noble Lord, Lord Bassam, about the Government’s proposals to introduce an earnings threshold for eligibility for free school meals and milk. This is very unfair, because it takes no account of the number of children who the parents have to feed....

My Lords, I too echo the concerns of the noble Lord, Lord Bassam, about the Government’s proposals to introduce an earnings threshold for eligibility for free school meals and milk. This is very unfair, because it takes no account of the number of children who the parents have to feed....

I agree with the noble Lord, Lord Freud, that this country should be aiming at the well-being of every child. We want every child to be healthy and happy and to fulfil his or her potential in life. However, the noble Lord has too much ambition for the Bill. Child...

I agree with the noble Lord, Lord Freud, that this country should be aiming at the well-being of every child. We want every child to be healthy and happy and to fulfil his or her potential in life. However, the noble Lord has too much ambition for the Bill. Child...

I did not say it was too ambitious; I said it was ambitious.

I did not say it was too ambitious; I said it was ambitious.

We on these Benches entirely agree with the noble Lord, Lord Freud, when he says that the welfare of children is inextricably linked to their families. However, not for the first time, we prefer the solution of the noble Lord, Lord Northbourne, to that of the noble Lord, Lord Freud....

We on these Benches entirely agree with the noble Lord, Lord Freud, when he says that the welfare of children is inextricably linked to their families. However, not for the first time, we prefer the solution of the noble Lord, Lord Northbourne, to that of the noble Lord, Lord Freud....

18: Clause 7, page 3, line 39, at end insert— "( ) In formulating its advice, the Commission must consult children and have regard to their wishes and feelings."

18: Clause 7, page 3, line 39, at end insert— "( ) In formulating its advice, the Commission must consult children and have regard to their wishes and feelings."

My Lords, I thank those who have spoken in support of these amendments—in particular, the Minister. On Amendment 18, however, I cannot really accept his suggestion that if the commission were to consult children directly, that would duplicate what the Secretary of State was doing. Frankly, if the Secretary of...

My Lords, I thank those who have spoken in support of these amendments—in particular, the Minister. On Amendment 18, however, I cannot really accept his suggestion that if the commission were to consult children directly, that would duplicate what the Secretary of State was doing. Frankly, if the Secretary of...

I accept that the Government are not precluding the commission from consulting children. Indeed, I hope that, should I not be successful in getting this into the Bill, they will allow it to do so. I thank the Minister for what he said about whether it should be put into...

I accept that the Government are not precluding the commission from consulting children. Indeed, I hope that, should I not be successful in getting this into the Bill, they will allow it to do so. I thank the Minister for what he said about whether it should be put into...

My Lords, I shall speak also to Amendment 21 in my name, which is grouped with this amendment.

My Lords, I shall speak also to Amendment 21 in my name, which is grouped with this amendment.

Amendments 48 and 77. It might be better if he spoke to them first.

Amendments 48 and 77. It might be better if he spoke to them first.

In moving the amendment, I will speak also to Amendments 47, 56 and 76, which I grouped with it in the hope of expediting progress—partly because they are all about the voice of the child. For that reason, I hope that we can polish off this group fairly quickly. We...

In moving the amendment, I will speak also to Amendments 47, 56 and 76, which I grouped with it in the hope of expediting progress—partly because they are all about the voice of the child. For that reason, I hope that we can polish off this group fairly quickly. We...

Amendment 20 is in the name of the noble Lord, Lord Freud.

Amendment 20 is in the name of the noble Lord, Lord Freud.

My Lords, I thought that it might be for the convenience of the Committee if I were to group my Amendment 26 with those of the noble Lord, Lord Morris of Handsworth, in order to expedite our progress a little—something that I am sure we are all interested in doing....

My Lords, I thought that it might be for the convenience of the Committee if I were to group my Amendment 26 with those of the noble Lord, Lord Morris of Handsworth, in order to expedite our progress a little—something that I am sure we are all interested in doing....

It is. There was a mistake on an earlier list; I had asked for it to be grouped with this one, but it mistakenly was not. The latest version shows that it is grouped. Besides, I can speak to it anyway, can I not? We now move on to Schedule...

It is. There was a mistake on an earlier list; I had asked for it to be grouped with this one, but it mistakenly was not. The latest version shows that it is grouped. Besides, I can speak to it anyway, can I not? We now move on to Schedule...

Before I comment, is the noble Lord, Lord Northbourne, intending to speak to his amendments in the group?

Before I comment, is the noble Lord, Lord Northbourne, intending to speak to his amendments in the group?

I am most grateful to the noble Lord for giving way. I agree with the noble Lord, Lord Northbourne, who made one of the points that I was going to make. On Amendment 26, the Minister could not have been clearer that the intention of the Bill is to improve...

I am most grateful to the noble Lord for giving way. I agree with the noble Lord, Lord Northbourne, who made one of the points that I was going to make. On Amendment 26, the Minister could not have been clearer that the intention of the Bill is to improve...

19: Schedule 1, page 17, line 6, at end insert "and approved by Parliament"

19: Schedule 1, page 17, line 6, at end insert "and approved by Parliament"

I thank the Minister for his reply and all noble Lords who have contributed to the debate. I thank the noble Baroness, Lady Hollis, for outlining the Office of Public Appointments procedure, which I am well aware of. Indeed, I have been in contact with that office myself. It is...

I thank the Minister for his reply and all noble Lords who have contributed to the debate. I thank the noble Baroness, Lady Hollis, for outlining the Office of Public Appointments procedure, which I am well aware of. Indeed, I have been in contact with that office myself. It is...

moved Amendment No. 175: "Page 28, line 5, at end insert ““either with or without modifications””" The noble Baroness said: This amendment would allow Parliament to amend orders that will amend the definition of what constitutes regulated activity under Clause 5(3). I am concerned that reserving the listing of behaviour to regulations could lead to...

moved Amendment No. 175: "Page 28, line 5, at end insert ““either with or without modifications””" The noble Baroness said: This amendment would allow Parliament to amend orders that will amend the definition of what constitutes regulated activity under Clause 5(3). I am concerned that reserving the listing of behaviour to regulations could lead to...

As I said, in view of the Minister’s commitment to come back with a government amendment on the duty to inform people of the decisions of the IBB, I do not feel it necessary to move Amendment No. 162 today. [Amendment No. 162 not moved.]

As I said, in view of the Minister’s commitment to come back with a government amendment on the duty to inform people of the decisions of the IBB, I do not feel it necessary to move Amendment No. 162 today. [Amendment No. 162 not moved.]