To ask Her Majesty's Government what criteria were used in the decisions to recognise the independence of Eritrea, East Timor and Kosovo; whether those criteria will apply to Somaliland; and whether they will raise the matter in the European Union with a view to gaining agreement on the recognition of...

To ask Her Majesty's Government what criteria were used in the decisions to recognise the independence of Eritrea, East Timor and Kosovo; whether those criteria will apply to Somaliland; and whether they will raise the matter in the European Union with a view to gaining agreement on the recognition of...

I beg to move amendment (a) to Lords amendment 1.

I beg to move amendment (a) to Lords amendment 1.

I do not for a minute dissent from what my hon. Friend is saying. He is moving an important amendment that certainly has my support. Does he agree that it is appalling that we have only one hour to consider a completely rewritten Bill? I readily acknowledge that it was...

I do not for a minute dissent from what my hon. Friend is saying. He is moving an important amendment that certainly has my support. Does he agree that it is appalling that we have only one hour to consider a completely rewritten Bill? I readily acknowledge that it was...

Indeed, and I am grateful to my hon. Friend for making that important point. If the Justice Secretary raises a question about whether the provisions of the charter are indeed addressed only to the institutions and bodies of the Union—as I anticipate he may—he ought to bear in mind the...

Indeed, and I am grateful to my hon. Friend for making that important point. If the Justice Secretary raises a question about whether the provisions of the charter are indeed addressed only to the institutions and bodies of the Union—as I anticipate he may—he ought to bear in mind the...

The uncertainty that my hon. Friend has expressed in great detail should worry all of us. Does he agree that realistically the Government must understand that there are constitutional issues up in the air? Do they not simply desire for public relations purposes to get a Bill—any Bill—on the statute...

The uncertainty that my hon. Friend has expressed in great detail should worry all of us. Does he agree that realistically the Government must understand that there are constitutional issues up in the air? Do they not simply desire for public relations purposes to get a Bill—any Bill—on the statute...

Indeed. In conclusion, this is a very important matter. It affects the sovereignty of the House, and therefore it directly affects the interests of our electorate. It is essential that the words that I have proposed should be inserted before the wording in the Lords amendment. I hope we will...

Indeed. In conclusion, this is a very important matter. It affects the sovereignty of the House, and therefore it directly affects the interests of our electorate. It is essential that the words that I have proposed should be inserted before the wording in the Lords amendment. I hope we will...

I hope it will be for the convenience of the House, particularly in view of the shortage of time—[Hon. Members: "Whose fault is that?"] I knew that would be said—but as the time is indeed short, for the convenience of the House I shall deal with the recommendation to the...

I hope it will be for the convenience of the House, particularly in view of the shortage of time—[Hon. Members: "Whose fault is that?"] I knew that would be said—but as the time is indeed short, for the convenience of the House I shall deal with the recommendation to the...

I am grateful to my right hon. and learned Friend. I am not going to disagree with him on that point, but I am concerned to remove uncertainty in a matter of such importance as this. In passing, I want to pay tribute to Lord Jenkin of Roding for the...

I am grateful to my right hon. and learned Friend. I am not going to disagree with him on that point, but I am concerned to remove uncertainty in a matter of such importance as this. In passing, I want to pay tribute to Lord Jenkin of Roding for the...

Has my hon. Friend taken note of the fact that the treaty of Lisbon, if ratified, will extend the competence of the EU into matters of law and the rights of the accused? If someone claimed to have been libelled or if a trial was prejudiced by proceedings in the...

Has my hon. Friend taken note of the fact that the treaty of Lisbon, if ratified, will extend the competence of the EU into matters of law and the rights of the accused? If someone claimed to have been libelled or if a trial was prejudiced by proceedings in the...

I absolutely agree. It was extremely disappointing to read both the Attorney-General's letter and her speech and find that she was so categoric about something that one simply cannot be categoric about. Because the question involves matters of such supreme importance, it is absolutely essential that we put it beyond...

I absolutely agree. It was extremely disappointing to read both the Attorney-General's letter and her speech and find that she was so categoric about something that one simply cannot be categoric about. Because the question involves matters of such supreme importance, it is absolutely essential that we put it beyond...

Although the Attorney-General was pretty categoric, she was not absolutely categoric. She said that""it is very unlikely that anything in the Bill would give rise to subject matter that could be interpreted by the European Court of Justice."—[Official Report, House of Lords, 20 July 2009; Vol. 712, c. 1423.]" The...

Although the Attorney-General was pretty categoric, she was not absolutely categoric. She said that""it is very unlikely that anything in the Bill would give rise to subject matter that could be interpreted by the European Court of Justice."—[Official Report, House of Lords, 20 July 2009; Vol. 712, c. 1423.]" The...

I shall cheerfully support my hon. Friend's amendment if it is put to the vote, but I have one question for him. He mentioned the ECHR, but it does not have—and never has had—any jurisdiction over this or any other court in the land. It is the embodiment of a...

I shall cheerfully support my hon. Friend's amendment if it is put to the vote, but I have one question for him. He mentioned the ECHR, but it does not have—and never has had—any jurisdiction over this or any other court in the land. It is the embodiment of a...

I could not agree more with my hon. Friend. The entire proceedings on this Bill have been conducted in an extremely shabby manner. Indeed, some important statements have been made by some of the most distinguished officials in the House—and in the other place—and the reservations that have been expressed,...

I could not agree more with my hon. Friend. The entire proceedings on this Bill have been conducted in an extremely shabby manner. Indeed, some important statements have been made by some of the most distinguished officials in the House—and in the other place—and the reservations that have been expressed,...

The usual channels. The right hon. Gentleman knows that answer.

The usual channels. The right hon. Gentleman knows that answer.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give way?

Will the right hon. Gentleman give way?

I agree, as it happens. I hope that the Committee that we agreed last night to set up under the chairmanship of my hon. Friend the Member for Cannock Chase (Dr. Wright) will pin that down and ensure that more active time on the Floor of this House is used...

I agree, as it happens. I hope that the Committee that we agreed last night to set up under the chairmanship of my hon. Friend the Member for Cannock Chase (Dr. Wright) will pin that down and ensure that more active time on the Floor of this House is used...

Whose idea was it to restrict this debate to 60 minutes?

Whose idea was it to restrict this debate to 60 minutes?

On a point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker. My understanding is that "Erskine May" refers to a programming Committee that should sit and decide, on each Bill, the allocation of time. It seems from what the Justice Secretary has just said that the programme was agreed in some cross-party Front-Bench...

On a point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker. My understanding is that "Erskine May" refers to a programming Committee that should sit and decide, on each Bill, the allocation of time. It seems from what the Justice Secretary has just said that the programme was agreed in some cross-party Front-Bench...

Will the right hon. Gentleman give way?

Will the right hon. Gentleman give way?

No, I shall proceed. Everyone knows how the arrangements are made.

No, I shall proceed. Everyone knows how the arrangements are made.