House of Lords Journal

Prayers were read by the Lord Bishop of Derby.

Public Business

1 European Union: membership A question was asked by Lord Pearson of Rannoch and answered by Lord Sassoon.

2 Parliament Square A question was asked by Baroness Trumpington and answered by Baroness Neville-Jones.

3 Coalition policies A question was asked by Baroness Smith of Basildon and answered by Lord Strathclyde.

4 Health: chronic fatigue syndrome A question was asked by the Countess of Mar and answered by Earl Howe.

5 Clerk of the Parliaments Lord Strathclyde acquainted the House that Her Majesty The Queen had approved an extension of the appointment of Mr Michael Pownall, Clerk of the Parliaments, until 15 April 2011, and that he had received the following letter from the Clerk of the Parliaments:

Dear Leader of the House,

I am grateful to you for notifying me of the extension of my appointment as Clerk of the Parliaments.

In coming to the decision to retire next April, I have borne in mind that I will by then have served the House of Lords for nearly 40 years. There have, of course, been many changes and challenges over this period, not least during my time as Clerk of the Parliaments; and it has been a great privilege to have played a part in the development of the House as an effective second chamber. As Clerk of the Parliaments, I have been extremely well supported by the staff of the House who as you know, show great commitment to the House and its work.

Please would you convey to Members of the House my appreciation for their support and friendship over the years.

Yours sincerely,

Michael Pownall

The letter was read and ordered to lie on the Table.

6 European Union The Chairman of Committees moved that Lord Maclennan of Rogart be appointed a member of the Select Committee in place of Baroness Sharp of Guildford, resigned. The motion was agreed to.

7 Budget Responsibility and National Audit Bill [HL] Lord Sassoon moved that the bill be now read a second time. After debate, the motion was agreed to and the bill was committed to a Grand Committee.

8 Freedom of Information (Time for Compliance with Request) Regulations 2010
European Communities (Definition of Treaties) (Central Africa Interim Economic Partnership Agreement) Order 2010
European Communities (Definition of Treaties) (Côte d'Ivoire Economic Partnership Agreement) Order 2010
Disabled People's Right to Control (Pilot Scheme) (England) Regulations 2010
Asylum (First List of Safe Countries) (Amendment) Order 2010
Immigration (Biometric Registration) (Amendment) Regulations 2010

The Grand Committee reported that it had considered the draft statutory instruments.

The House adjourned at 5.51pm until Tuesday 9 November at 2.30pm.

Grand Committee Business

The Grand Committee met in the Moses Room at 3.30pm.

Freedom of Information (Time for Compliance with Request) Regulations 2010 Lord McNally moved that the Grand Committee do consider the draft Freedom of Information (Time for Compliance with Request) Regulations 2010. After debate, the motion was agreed to.

European Communities (Definition of Treaties) (Central Africa Interim Economic Partnership Agreement) Order 2010 Baroness Wilcox moved that the Grand Committee do consider the draft European Communities (Definition of Treaties) (Central Africa Interim Economic Partnership Agreement) Order 2010. After debate, the motion was agreed to.

European Communities (Definition of Treaties) (Côte d'Ivoire Economic Partnership Agreement) Order 2010 Baroness Wilcox moved that the Grand Committee do consider the draft European Communities (Definition of Treaties) (Côte d'Ivoire Economic Partnership Agreement) Order 2010. The motion was agreed to.

Disabled People's Right to Control (Pilot Scheme) (England) Regulations 2010 Lord Freud moved that the Grand Committee do consider the draft Disabled People's Right to Control (Pilot Scheme) (England) Regulations 2010. After debate, the motion was agreed to.

Asylum (First List of Safe Countries) (Amendment) Order 2010 Earl Attlee moved that the Grand Committee do consider the draft Asylum (First List of Safe Countries) (Amendment) Order 2010. After debate, the motion was agreed to.

Immigration (Biometric Registration) (Amendment) Regulations 2010 Earl Attlee moved that the Grand Committee do consider the draft Immigration (Biometric Registration) (Amendment) Regulations 2010. After debate, the motion was agreed to.

The Committee adjourned at 5.34pm.