House of Lords Journal

Prayers were read by the Lord Bishop of Birmingham.

1 His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh The Duke of Edinburgh’s reply to the message of 8 June was reported by the Lord Speaker, as follows:

My Lords and Members of the House of Commons,

I received your kind message of congratulations on my ninetieth birthday with the greatest pleasure.

I have derived much satisfaction from the many years that I have been able to help and support The Queen. Few others, if any, have had the satisfaction of witnessing the affection and respect that so many people round the world have shown for the Queen since the beginning of her reign.

I acknowledge that the position that I have held has made it possible for me to support and encourage a great many valuable and worthwhile organisations in this country and further afield. It has been a particular pleasure to be associated with so many organisations that have encouraged the development of the younger generation in this country and in the wider world.

2 Civil List The Leader of the House (Lord Strathclyde) moved that an humble Address be presented to Her Majesty, to return to Her Majesty the thanks of this House for Her Majesty’s most gracious Message, and to assure Her Majesty that this House, always desirous of availing itself of every opportunity to manifest its dutiful attachment to Her Majesty’s Royal Person and Family, will cheerfully concur in all such Measures, as shall be necessary and proper for giving effect to the object of Her Majesty’s Message. The motion was agreed to nemine dissentiente, and the Lord Chamberlain was ordered to present the Address to Her Majesty.

3 Earldom of Onslow in the Peerage of the United Kingdom The Lord Chancellor reported that Rupert Charles William Bullard Onslow commonly called Viscount Cranley had established his succession to the Earldom of Onslow. The Clerk of the Parliaments was accordingly directed to enter the Earl of Onslow on the register of hereditary peers maintained under Standing Order 10(5).

Public Business

4 Banking: Northern Rock A question was asked by Baroness Turner of Camden and answered by Lord Sassoon.

5 European Union: Polish Presidency A question was asked by Lord Dykes and answered by Lord Howell of Guildford.

6 Republic of Ireland and the Commonwealth A question was asked by Lord Rana and answered by Lord Howell of Guildford.

7 Banking: Lloyds and RBS shares A question was asked by Lord Barnett and answered by Lord Sassoon.

8 Standing Orders (Public Business) Lord Strathclyde moved that the standing orders relating to public business be amended as follows:

Standing Order 22 (Leave of absence)

After paragraph (3) insert:

"(3A) At the start of each session of Parliament the Clerk of the Parliaments may in writing ask any Lord Temporal not on leave of absence, suspended or otherwise disqualified from attending the House, who in the previous session attended the House very infrequently, whether he wishes to apply for leave of absence for the remainder of the Parliament.

(3B) Any Lord who fails to reply to a letter sent by the Clerk of the Parliaments pursuant to paragraph (3) or (3A) above within three months from the date the letter was sent shall be granted leave of absence for the remainder of the Parliament."

In paragraph (4), delete "is expected not to" and insert "should not".

In paragraph (5), delete "is expected to" and insert "should".

In paragraph (5), delete "one month" and insert "three months".

After paragraph (5) insert:

"(5A) In applying the provisions of this Standing Order the Clerk of the Parliaments may seek the advice of the Leave of Absence Sub-Committee of the Procedure Committee."

The motion was agreed to. The amendments were ordered to be printed. (HL Paper 174).

9 Localism Bill The bill was further considered in Committee, beginning with amendment 120A. The House resumed.

10 News Corporation/BSkyB merger Baroness Rawlings repeated as a ministerial statement the answer given to an Urgent Question in the House of Commons.

11 Female genital mutilation A question was asked by Baroness Rendell of Babergh and, after debate, answered by Baroness Verma.

12 Localism Bill The bill was further considered in Committee, beginning with amendment 120B. Amendments were agreed to. The House resumed after clause 59 was agreed to.

The House adjourned at 6.55pm until Friday 1 July at 10.00am.

Grand Committee Business

The Grand Committee met in the Moses Room at 2.00pm.

The Committee adjourned after amendment 36.

The Committee adjourned at 6.07pm.