My Lords, despite my suggestion that the noble Lord, Lord Bird, could sit down at the beginning of proceedings and the informality of the Room, we are standing in this Room unless one cannot.

12.33 pm

My Lords, despite my suggestion that the noble Lord, Lord Bird, could sit down at the beginning of proceedings and the informality of the Room, we are standing in this Room unless one cannot.

12.33 pm

My Lords, before we move on, I remind the House that the next 20 minutes are reserved for questions from Back-Benchers only. I also remind noble Lords of the importance of brevity when asking questions. This will ensure that as many noble Lords as possible have the opportunity to ask...

My Lords, before we move on, I remind the House that the next 20 minutes are reserved for questions from Back-Benchers only. I also remind noble Lords of the importance of brevity when asking questions. This will ensure that as many noble Lords as possible have the opportunity to ask...

My Lords, it is the turn of the Cross Benches.

My Lords, it is the turn of the Cross Benches.

My Lords, it is the turn of the Conservative Benches. Can they please make up their minds and get a question asked?

My Lords, it is the turn of the Conservative Benches. Can they please make up their minds and get a question asked?

Order. The time limit is eight minutes.

5.05 pm

Order. The time limit is eight minutes.

5.05 pm

My Lords, we are about to go into Recess, so I take this opportunity to thank all the staff of the House for their hard work and support and wish them and, indeed, all noble Lords a restful Recess. I hope noble Lords enjoy their party conference, if they are...

My Lords, we are about to go into Recess, so I take this opportunity to thank all the staff of the House for their hard work and support and wish them and, indeed, all noble Lords a restful Recess. I hope noble Lords enjoy their party conference, if they are...

My Lords, if there is a Division in the Chamber while we are sitting, this Committee will adjourn as soon as the Division Bells are rung and resume after 10 minutes.

My Lords, if there is a Division in the Chamber while we are sitting, this Committee will adjourn as soon as the Division Bells are rung and resume after 10 minutes.

It is the turn of the Lib Dem Benches next.

It is the turn of the Lib Dem Benches next.

My Lords, before we hear from the Minister in reply to this group, I would just like to be a bit pernickety and urge Back-Bench speakers, if they can, to speak before Front-Bench winders. It is not in the Companion, but I think that it is good custom and practice...

My Lords, before we hear from the Minister in reply to this group, I would just like to be a bit pernickety and urge Back-Bench speakers, if they can, to speak before Front-Bench winders. It is not in the Companion, but I think that it is good custom and practice...

My noble friend has done nothing wrong, as per the Companion, but usually in Committee Back-Benchers speak before the Front-Bench winders. It helps if noble Lords understand when people speak. Before we get into a long debate, it is not in the Companion, and we have freedom to speak and...

My noble friend has done nothing wrong, as per the Companion, but usually in Committee Back-Benchers speak before the Front-Bench winders. It helps if noble Lords understand when people speak. Before we get into a long debate, it is not in the Companion, and we have freedom to speak and...

Green Members often speak as part of the Back Benches, but the noble Baroness is of course welcome to speak whenever.

Green Members often speak as part of the Back Benches, but the noble Baroness is of course welcome to speak whenever.

My Lords, given the lateness of the hour and the nature of the topic that we will be discussing, I suggest that we adjourn the Grand Committee.

My Lords, given the lateness of the hour and the nature of the topic that we will be discussing, I suggest that we adjourn the Grand Committee.

I understand that this issue is important to the hon. Lady, but she also knows, because of her experience, that it is not a matter for the Chair. She has most definitely got her point on the record, and no doubt those on the Treasury Front Bench will have noted...

I understand that this issue is important to the hon. Lady, but she also knows, because of her experience, that it is not a matter for the Chair. She has most definitely got her point on the record, and no doubt those on the Treasury Front Bench will have noted...

The hon. Lady has raised an important issue, but as she is far more experienced than even I am, she knows that this is not a matter for the Chair. If she wishes to pursue it, she can raise it with those in charge of the independent complaints and grievance...

The hon. Lady has raised an important issue, but as she is far more experienced than even I am, she knows that this is not a matter for the Chair. If she wishes to pursue it, she can raise it with those in charge of the independent complaints and grievance...

Before we move on, I want to pay tribute to the hon. Member for Kingswinford and South Staffordshire (Mike Wood) for his bravery in sharing his personal story and, of course, to the noble Lord Mackinlay in the other place, who has spoken on this subject so often and with...

Before we move on, I want to pay tribute to the hon. Member for Kingswinford and South Staffordshire (Mike Wood) for his bravery in sharing his personal story and, of course, to the noble Lord Mackinlay in the other place, who has spoken on this subject so often and with...

That brings us to the Front-Bench contributions. I call the Liberal Democrat spokesperson.

6.1 pm

That brings us to the Front-Bench contributions. I call the Liberal Democrat spokesperson.

6.1 pm

I call the shadow Minister.

6.7 pm

I call the shadow Minister.

6.7 pm

We now come to the Select Committee statement on behalf of the Public Accounts Committee. The hon. Member for Shipley (Anna Dixon) will speak for up to 10 minutes, during which no interventions may be taken. At the conclusion of her statement, I will call Members to put questions on...

We now come to the Select Committee statement on behalf of the Public Accounts Committee. The hon. Member for Shipley (Anna Dixon) will speak for up to 10 minutes, during which no interventions may be taken. At the conclusion of her statement, I will call Members to put questions on...

We now come to the Select Committee statement on behalf of the Treasury Committee. The Chair of the Treasury Committee, the hon. Member for Hackney South and Shoreditch (Dame Meg Hillier), will speak for up to 10 minutes, during which time no interventions may be taken. At the conclusion of...

We now come to the Select Committee statement on behalf of the Treasury Committee. The Chair of the Treasury Committee, the hon. Member for Hackney South and Shoreditch (Dame Meg Hillier), will speak for up to 10 minutes, during which time no interventions may be taken. At the conclusion of...

Order. We have about 10 minutes for questions and answers, so they must be brief.

Order. We have about 10 minutes for questions and answers, so they must be brief.