House of Lords Journal

Prayers were read by the Lord Bishop of Exeter.

1 The Lord Bishop of Truro Timothy Martin Lord Bishop of Truro was introduced between the Lord Bishop of Exeter and the Lord Bishop of Worcester, took and subscribed the oath and signed an undertaking to abide by the Code of Conduct.

Select Committee Report

2 European Union
The following Report from the Select Committee was made and ordered to be printed:

EU police and criminal justice measures: The UK’s 2014 opt-out decision. (13th Report, HL Paper 159)

Public Business

3 Iraq: Chilcot Inquiry A question was asked by Lord Dykes and answered by Lord Hill of Oareford.

4 Female genital mutilation A question was asked by Baroness Cox and answered by Lord Taylor of Holbeach.

5 National Health Service: ECMO machines A question was asked by Baroness Gardner of Parkes and answered by Earl Howe.

6 United Kingdom industry: competitiveness A question was asked by Lord Peston, on behalf of Lord Haskel, and answered by Lord Popat.

7 Defamation Bill The bill was returned from the Commons on 16 April with reasons. The reasons were printed under Standing Order 50(2). (HL Bill 96)

8 Groceries Code Adjudicator Bill [HL] The bill was returned from the Commons with the amendment agreed to.

9 Succession to the Crown Bill The bill was read a third time. Amendments were considered. Then the bill was passed.

Motion A Lords amendment 7 was not insisted on and amendments 7B and 7C in lieu were agreed to.

Motion B Lords amendment 25 was insisted on (see division 1).

A Committee was appointed to propose a reason. The following Lords were members of the Committee:

Lord Adonis
Lord Pannick
Viscount Younger of Leckie

The Committee proposed the following reason for insisting on Lords Amendment 25:

"Because it is inappropriate for employees to be exempted from statutory employment rights in this manner."

The reason was agreed to.

The bill was returned to the Commons with a reason.

11 Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Bill The bill having been returned from the Commons on 16 April with reasons and amendments, and the reasons and amendments having been printed under Standing Order 50(2) (HL Bill 95), the reasons and amendments were considered.

Motion A Lords amendment 35 was insisted on (see division 2).

A Committee was appointed to propose a reason. The following Lords were members of the Committee:

Baroness Campbell of Surbiton
Baroness Northover
Lord Tunnicliffe

The Committee proposed the following reason for insisting on Lords Amendment 35:

"Because repealing section 3 would undermine the EHRC’s duty to promote social change through its human rights and equality duties; compromise its independence as an accredited national human rights body; and prevent it from complying with its monitoring requirements in that capacity and as Britain’s national equality body."

The reason was agreed to.

Motion B Lords amendment 36 was insisted on.

A Committee was appointed to propose a reason. The following Lords were members of the Committee:

Baroness Campbell of Surbiton
Baroness Northover
Lord Tunnicliffe

The Committee proposed the following reason for insisting on Lords Amendment 36:

"Because monitoring progress by reference to the EHRC’s duties under sections 8 and 9, rather than section 3, would prevent the Commission from complying with the monitoring requirements relating to equality and human rights bodies, and would jeopardise the EHRC’s accredited status."

The reason was agreed to.

Motion C Lords amendment 37 was insisted on (see division 3).

A Committee was appointed to propose a reason. The following Lords were members of the Committee:

Lord Avebury
Lord Harries of Pentregarth
Baroness Northover

The Committee proposed the following reason for insisting on Lords Amendment 37:

"Because it is appropriate to provide for caste to be an aspect of race for the purposes of the Equality Act 2010."

The reason was agreed to.

Motion D Lords amendment 38 was not insisted on (see division 4) and Commons amendments 38A and 38B were agreed to.

Motion E Lords amendment 40 was not insisted on and Commons amendments 40A to 40H in lieu were agreed to.

The bill was returned to the Commons with reasons.

12 Partnerships (Prosecution) (Scotland) Bill [HL] The bill was returned from the Commons agreed to.

13 Crime and Courts Bill [HL] The bill was returned from the Commons with amendments. It was ordered that the Commons amendments be printed. (HL Bill 98)

14 Public Service Pensions Bill The bill was returned from the Commons with reasons. It was ordered that the Commons reasons be printed. (HL Bill 97)

15 Prisoner Voting 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 draft Voting Eligibility (Prisoners) Bill presented to both Houses on 22 November 2012, and have ordered:

that a Select Committee of six Members be appointed to join with the Committee appointed by the Lords to consider the draft Voting Eligibility (Prisoners) Bill;

that the Committee should report by 31 October 2013;

that the Committee shall have power:

(i) to send for persons, papers and records;

(ii) to sit nothwithstanding 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; and

that Mr Crispin Blunt, Steve Brine, Lorely Burt, Mr Nick Gibb, Sir Alan Meale, and Derek Twigg be members of the Committee.

The House adjourned at 11.33pm until Tuesday 23 April at 2.30pm.

Grand Committee Business

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

European Union: United Kingdom isolation A question was asked by Lord Dykes and, after debate, answered by Baroness Warsi.

Energy: nuclear power A question was asked by Viscount Hanworth and, after debate, answered by Baroness Verma.

Severn barrage A question was asked by Lord Cope of Berkeley and, after debate, answered by Baroness Verma.

The Committee adjourned at 7.29pm.