Session 2010-12 Volume 244
Journal for 28 March 2012
Prayers were read by the Lord Bishop of Ripon and Leeds.
Public Business
1 Water: national grid A question was asked by Lord Gardiner of Kimble and answered by Lord Taylor of Holbeach.
2 Japanese knotweed A question was asked by Baroness Sharples and answered by Lord Taylor of Holbeach.
3 Universities: fees A question was asked by Lord Forsyth of Drumlean and answered by Lord Wallace of Tankerness.
4 Education: languages A question was asked by Baroness Coussins and answered by Lord Hill of Oareford.
5 Online Safety Bill [HL] Baroness Howe of Idlicote presented a bill to make provision about the promotion of online safety; to require internet service providers and mobile phone operators to provide a service that excludes pornographic images; and to require electronic device manufacturers to provide a means of filtering content. It was read a first time and ordered to be printed. (HL Bill 137)
6 Trusts (Capital and Income) Bill [HL] Lord Strathclyde moved that the bill be referred to a Second Reading Committee. After debate, the motion was agreed to.
7 Trusts (Capital and Income) Bill [HL] Lord Strathclyde moved to resolve that it is expedient that if the Trusts (Capital and Income) Bill [HL]:
(a) has not completed all its stages by the end of this session of Parliament, and
(b) is reintroduced in the next session of Parliament,
the new bill shall, notwithstanding the provisions of Standing Order 46 (No two stages of a Bill to be taken on one day), be taken pro forma through all the stages completed in this session. The motion was agreed to.
8 Public Bodies (Abolition of Courts Boards) Order 2012 Lord McNally moved that the draft Order be referred to a Grand Committee. The motion was agreed to.
9 Statistics and Registration Service Act 2007 (Disclosure of Social Security and Revenue Information) Regulations 2012 Lord Wallace of Saltaire moved that the draft Regulations laid before the House on 27 February be approved. The motion was agreed to.
10 Scotland Bill The report stage was continued, beginning with amendment 2. Amendments were agreed to. The report stage was adjourned.
The House adjourned. The House resumed.
11 Employment Tribunals Act 1996 (Tribunal Composition) Order 2012 Lord De Mauley moved that the draft Order laid before the House on 6 February be approved. Then Lord Young of Norwood Green moved, as an amendment to the motion, at the end to insert "but that this House regrets that the Order will risk the reduction of justice and fairness at Employment Tribunals, is opposed by both trades unions and employers' organisations, and risks increasing costs through a greater number of appeals; believes that having an employer and employee representative on Employment Tribunals remains the right way to ensure a fair and just decision and process for claimants; and calls on the Government to place a report into the effect of the changes before Parliament, 18 months after the approval of the Order". After debate, the amendment was withdrawn. Then the original motion was agreed to.
12 Unfair Dismissal and Statement of Reasons for Dismissal (Variation of Qualifying Period) Order 2012 Lord De Mauley moved that the draft Order laid before the House on 6 February be approved. Then Lord Young of Norwood Green moved, as an amendment to the motion, at the end to insert "but that this House regrets that the Order will unnecessarily diminish the employment rights of employees, will have little or no effect on employers' likelihood of taking on new staff, encourages the use of dismissals in place of good management practice, and is opposed by trades unions; believes that employees should always get a written reason for their dismissal; and calls on the Government to place a report into the effect of the changes before Parliament, 18 months after the approval of the Order". The amendment was disagreed to (see division list). Then the original motion was agreed to.
13 Scotland Bill The report stage was continued, beginning with amendment 15. Amendments were agreed to. The bill, as amended, was ordered to be printed. (HL Bill 138)
14 Sunday Trading (London Olympic and Paralympic Games) Bill [HL] Lord Sassoon presented a bill to suspend restrictions on Sunday trading hours for the period of the London Olympic Games and Paralympic Games. It was read a first time and ordered to be printed. (HL Bill 139)
15 Sunday Trading (London Olympic and Paralympic Games) Bill [HL] The Explanatory Notes on the bill were ordered to be printed. (HL Bill 139–EN)
The House adjourned at 7.36pm until Monday 23 April at 2.30pm.