House of Lords Journal

Prayers were read by the Lord Bishop of Guildford.

Select Committee Reports

1 Secondary Legislation Scrutiny
The following Report from the Select Committee was made and ordered to be printed:

17th Report, on the following instruments:
Council Tax Reduction Schemes (Prescribed Requirements) (England) Regulations 2012
Council Tax Reduction Schemes (Default Scheme) (England) Regulations 2012. (HL Paper 82)

2 Human Rights
The following Reports from the Joint Committee were made and ordered to be printed:

Reform of the Office of Children’s Commissioner: draft legislation (6th Report, HL Paper 83)

Legislative Scrutiny: Defamation Bill. (7th Report, HL Paper 84)

Public Business

3 Abortion A question was asked by Baroness Knight of Collingtree and answered by Earl Howe.

4 Banks: Funding for Lending scheme A question was asked by Lord Sharkey and answered by Lord Newby.

5 Police and Crime Commissioners: elections A question was asked by Lord Roberts of Llandudno and answered by Lord Taylor of Holbeach.

6 Schools: performance A question was asked by Lord Bates and answered by Lord Hill of Oareford.

7 Syria: chemical weapons A private notice question was asked by Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean and answered by Baroness Warsi.

8 Parliamentary Privilege A message was brought from the Commons that they concur that it is expedient that a Joint Committee of Lords and Commons be appointed to consider the Green Paper on Parliamentary Privilege presented to both Houses on 26 April (Cm 8318), and that they have ordered:

that a Select Committee of six Members be appointed to join with the Committee appointed by the Lords;

that the Committee should report by 25 April 2013; and

that the Committee shall have power:
(i) to send for persons, papers and records,
(ii) to sit notwithstanding any adjournment of the House,
(iii) to report from time to time,
(iv) to appoint specialist advisers, and
(v) to adjourn from place to place within the United Kingdom.

9 Prisons (Interference with Wireless Telegraphy) Bill The bill was read a third time and passed.

10 Crime and Courts Bill [HL] The report stage was continued, beginning with amendment 79. Amendments were agreed to. Amendment 79AA was disagreed to (see division). Amendment 82A was negatived. The report stage was adjourned.

11 Partnerships (Prosecution) (Scotland) Bill [HL] The Second Reading Committee reported that it had considered the bill.

12 Future Homes Commission: report A question was asked by Baroness Whitaker and, after debate, answered by Baroness Hanham.

The House adjourned at 9.58pm until Wednesday 5 December at 3.00pm.

Second Reading Committee Business

The Committee met in the Moses Room at 3.30pm.

Partnerships (Prosecution) (Scotland) Bill [HL] Lord Wallace of Tankerness moved that the Second Reading Committee do consider the Partnerships (Prosecution) (Scotland) Bill [HL]. After debate, the motion was agreed to.

The Committee adjourned at 4.57pm.