Lords motion to agree the first report of the Procedure and Privileges Committee on Behaviour and courtesy in the Chamber; Further changes to speaking times at amending stages; New edition of the Standing Orders relating to public business; Reappointment of the Leave of Absence Sub-Committee (HL 43). Agreed to on question.

Lords motion to agree the first report of the Procedure and Privileges Committee on Behaviour and courtesy in the Chamber; Further changes to speaking times at amending stages; New edition of the Standing Orders relating to public business; Reappointment of the Leave of Absence Sub-Committee (HL 43). Agreed to on...

My Lords, the first part of this report proposes changes to guidance in the Companion with a view to upholding high standards of behaviour and courtesy in the Chamber. The committee recommends the strengthening of guidance to reinforce the long-standing conventions on attendance in the Chamber during debates and referring...

My Lords, the first part of this report proposes changes to guidance in the Companion with a view to upholding high standards of behaviour and courtesy in the Chamber. The committee recommends the strengthening of guidance to reinforce the long-standing conventions on attendance in the Chamber during debates and referring...

My Lords, I welcome the report in general. I say a personal word of thanks to the Leave of Absence Sub-Committee, which has dealt sympathetically with those of us who have either chronic or incurable diseases. It is very encouraging in relation to that.

I want to mention other aspects of...

My Lords, I welcome the report in general. I say a personal word of thanks to the Leave of Absence Sub-Committee, which has dealt sympathetically with those of us who have either chronic or incurable diseases. It is very encouraging in relation to that.

I want to mention other aspects of...

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I hear some “hear, hears” and also some mutterings, mostly from the other side, which of course I am used to. However, if we think about it, if we are to improve our procedures and to get shorter questions and answers, we do need some discipline. I argue that the...

I hear some “hear, hears” and also some mutterings, mostly from the other side, which of course I am used to. However, if we think about it, if we are to improve our procedures and to get shorter questions and answers, we do need some discipline. I argue that the...

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I can take the hint.

I can take the hint.

My Lords, I will raise a couple of points and seek clarification from the Senior Deputy Speaker. In paragraph 19 of the report, what exactly does “business attire” mean in the proposed new paragraph 4.14A? As I understand it, if you bring a guest to the Bar of the House,...

My Lords, I will raise a couple of points and seek clarification from the Senior Deputy Speaker. In paragraph 19 of the report, what exactly does “business attire” mean in the proposed new paragraph 4.14A? As I understand it, if you bring a guest to the Bar of the House,...

My Lords and Baronesses, I want to follow up the point made by the noble Lord, Lord Bellingham. What my noble friend the Senior Deputy Speaker failed to mention was the introduction for the first time of a reference to dress code in the Companion—previously, it was, in effect, folklore....

My Lords and Baronesses, I want to follow up the point made by the noble Lord, Lord Bellingham. What my noble friend the Senior Deputy Speaker failed to mention was the introduction for the first time of a reference to dress code in the Companion—previously, it was, in effect, folklore....

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Indeed, I am suggesting that we can leave it to the good judgment of not just noble Baronesses but noble Lords in this House as to what they should wear—and do not get me started on the Bishops.

Indeed, I am suggesting that we can leave it to the good judgment of not just noble Baronesses but noble Lords in this House as to what they should wear—and do not get me started on the Bishops.

My Lords, saying that questions need to be completed in 30 or 45 seconds is incredibly regressive. We have more Members, more Ministers, more ministries and more legislation than ever before, and to imagine that you can ask a detailed question in about 30 or 35 words is impossible. Somebody...

My Lords, saying that questions need to be completed in 30 or 45 seconds is incredibly regressive. We have more Members, more Ministers, more ministries and more legislation than ever before, and to imagine that you can ask a detailed question in about 30 or 35 words is impossible. Somebody...

My Lords, I do not know whether the noble Lord, Lord Foulkes, has ever been to a synagogue board meeting, but I can assure him that that is an exception to the rule which he put forward as to orderly conduct of business. More substantively, I would not appear in...

My Lords, I do not know whether the noble Lord, Lord Foulkes, has ever been to a synagogue board meeting, but I can assure him that that is an exception to the rule which he put forward as to orderly conduct of business. More substantively, I would not appear in...

My Lords, I was going to intervene on the question of the definition of “business attire”, and I look forward to the Senior Deputy Speaker elucidating that in a moment. Since we are talking about speeding up the business of the House, I have to say that the suggestion that,...

My Lords, I was going to intervene on the question of the definition of “business attire”, and I look forward to the Senior Deputy Speaker elucidating that in a moment. Since we are talking about speeding up the business of the House, I have to say that the suggestion that,...

My Lords, I will make two brief points. One is to support the comment made by my noble friend George Foulkes about supplementary questions. Our Chief Whip does a great job in identifying which party should come next, but he cannot choose between Members of one party. We still have...

My Lords, I will make two brief points. One is to support the comment made by my noble friend George Foulkes about supplementary questions. Our Chief Whip does a great job in identifying which party should come next, but he cannot choose between Members of one party. We still have...

My Lords, further to the point raised by the noble Lord, Lord Foulkes—as I think he likes to be addressed—in relation to bringing Oral Questions under control, I am grateful to the Senior Deputy Speaker for his efforts to do that and I think the proposals are sound, but may...

My Lords, further to the point raised by the noble Lord, Lord Foulkes—as I think he likes to be addressed—in relation to bringing Oral Questions under control, I am grateful to the Senior Deputy Speaker for his efforts to do that and I think the proposals are sound, but may...

My Lords, I appeared in your Lordships’ House in 2006 and Questions were being asked. I had listened, time was nearly running out, and I spoke, but I had a piece of paper. All around the House, word went out: “Reading, reading, reading!” And I showed my piece of paper,...

My Lords, I appeared in your Lordships’ House in 2006 and Questions were being asked. I had listened, time was nearly running out, and I spoke, but I had a piece of paper. All around the House, word went out: “Reading, reading, reading!” And I showed my piece of paper,...

My Lords, I think a dress code is a sign of respect. We sit in this beautiful House, and it is respectful to dress properly. We are on the television and people are viewing the proceedings in this House. We are the only House that does not have a strict...

My Lords, I think a dress code is a sign of respect. We sit in this beautiful House, and it is respectful to dress properly. We are on the television and people are viewing the proceedings in this House. We are the only House that does not have a strict...

My Lords, this is an important short debate, but I hope that all those who have contributed will be with us at 10 pm tonight.

My Lords, this is an important short debate, but I hope that all those who have contributed will be with us at 10 pm tonight.

My Lords, I think I have an answer to all the questions which have been asked. First, the noble Lord, Lord Foulkes, seems to be advocating a power grab by the Lord Speaker and the Deputy Speakers. I have to say, we are a self-governing

House. I have been in...

My Lords, I think I have an answer to all the questions which have been asked. First, the noble Lord, Lord Foulkes, seems to be advocating a power grab by the Lord Speaker and the Deputy Speakers. I have to say, we are a self-governing

House. I have been in...