Session 2010-12 Volume 244
Journal for 18 July 2011
Prayers were read by the Lord Bishop of Lichfield.
1 Lord Speaker The Clerk of the Parliaments informed the House that Baroness D’Souza had been elected Lord Speaker in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order 19. The Lord Chamberlain (Earl Peel) reported the approval of Her Majesty The Queen as follows:
My Lords,
I have the honour to notify your Lordships that Her Majesty The Queen, having been informed that your Lordships have elected the Baroness D’Souza to be Lord Speaker, has pleasure in confirming your Lordships’ choice of her as your Speaker.
2 House of Lords Resource Accounts 2010–11 The Resource Accounts for the year 2010–11 were laid before the House and ordered to be printed. (HL Paper 185)
Public Business
3 Thames Tunnel A question was asked by Lord Berkeley and answered by Lord Henley.
4 Democratic Republic of Congo A question was asked by Lord Chidgey and answered by Lord Howell of Guildford.
5 Finance: off-exchange trading venues A question was asked by Baroness Kramer and answered by Lord Sassoon.
6 Dyslexia A question was asked by Lord Addington and answered by Baroness Wilcox.
7 Privacy and Injunctions The Chairman of Committees moved that the Commons message of 14 July be considered and that a Committee of thirteen Lords be appointed to join with the Committee appointed by the Commons to consider privacy and injunctions, including:
(1) how the statutory and common law on privacy and the use of anonymity injunctions and super-injunctions has operated in practice;
(2) how best to strike the balance between privacy and freedom of expression, in particular how best to determine whether there is a public interest in material concerning people’s private and family life;
(3) issues relating to the enforcement of anonymity injunctions and super-injunctions, including the internet, cross-border jurisdiction within the United Kingdom, parliamentary privilege and the rule of law; and
(4) issues relating to media regulation in this context, including the role of the Press Complaints Commission and the Office of Communications (OFCOM);
That the Committee should report by 29 February 2012;
That, as proposed by the Committee of Selection, the following members be appointed to the Committee:
- L Black of Brentwood
- B Bonham-Carter of Yarnbury
- Bp of Chester
- B Corston
- L Dobbs
- L Gold
- L Grabiner
- L Harries of Pentregarth
- L Hollick
- L Janvrin
- L Mawhinney
- L Myners
- L Thomas of Gresford;
That the Committee have power to agree with the Committee appointed by the Commons in the appointment of a Chairman;
That the Committee have power to send for persons, papers and records;
That the Committee have power to appoint specialist advisers;
That the Committee have leave to report from time to time;
That the Committee have power to adjourn from place to place within the United Kingdom;
That the reports of the Committee from time to time shall be printed, regardless of any adjournment of the House; and
That the evidence taken by the Committee shall, if the Committee so wishes, be published.
The motion was agreed to and a message was sent to the Commons.
8 Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Carrying on Regulated Activities by Way of Business) (Amendment) Order 2011 Lord Strathclyde moved that the draft Order be referred to a Grand Committee. The motion was agreed to.
9 Weights and Measures (Specified Quantities) (Unwrapped Bread and Intoxicating Liquor) Order 2011 Lord Strathclyde moved that the draft Order be referred to a Grand Committee. The motion was agreed to.
10 Construction Contracts (England) Exclusion Order 2011 Lord Strathclyde moved that the draft Order be referred to a Grand Committee. The motion was agreed to.
11 Scheme for Construction Contracts (England and Wales) Regulations 1998 (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2011 Lord Strathclyde moved that the draft Regulations be referred to a Grand Committee. The motion was agreed to.
12 Landfill (Maximum Landfill Amount) Regulations 2011 Lord Strathclyde moved that the draft Regulations be referred to a Grand Committee. The motion was agreed to.
13 Fixed-term Parliaments Bill The Commons reason was considered. Lords amendments 1, 2 and 9 were insisted on (see division list). A Committee was appointed to propose a reason. The following Lords were members of the Committee:
Lord Butler of Brockwell
Lord Falconer of Thoroton
Lord Wallace of Tankerness
The Committee proposed the following reason for insisting on Lords amendments 1, 2 and 9:
"Because it is appropriate that the continuing operation of the provisions of the Bill should be dependent upon periodic resolutions of each House of Parliament."
The reason was agreed to. The bill was returned to the Commons with a reason.
14 Metropolitan Police Service Baroness Browning repeated a ministerial statement made in the House of Commons.
15 Defence transformation Lord Astor of Hever repeated a ministerial statement made in the House of Commons.
16 Local Government finance Baroness Hanham repeated a ministerial statement made in the House of Commons.
17 Supply and Appropriation (Main Estimates) Bill Lord Sassoon moved that the bill be now read a second time. The motion was agreed to and the Committee was negatived. Then, Standing Order 46 having been dispensed with, the bill was read a third time and passed.
18 Finance (No. 3) Bill Lord Sassoon moved that the bill be now read a second time. After debate, the motion was agreed to and the Committee was negatived. Then, Standing Order 46 having been dispensed with, the bill was read a third time and passed.
19 Finance Bill 2011 (EAC Report) Lord MacGregor of Pulham Market moved that this House takes note of the Report of the Economic Affairs Committee on The Finance Bill 2011 (4th Report, HL Paper 158). The motion was agreed to.
The House adjourned at 10.42pm until Tuesday 19 July at 2.30pm.
Grand Committee Business
The Grand Committee met in the Moses Room at 3.30pm.
Education Bill The Grand Committee further considered the bill, beginning with amendment 89. The Committee adjourned after amendment 107.
The Committee adjourned at 7.52pm.