Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms and Chief Whip (Lord Kennedy of Southwark) (Lab Co-op)
My Lords, I will make my usual statement before we start proceedings. As ever, I will try to keep it short so that we can move on to the main business.
First, I thank the Clerk Assistant and the Clerk of Legislation for what I heard was an excellent and informative briefing on the facts of the Parliament Act earlier this week. A large number of noble Lords attended and found it useful. I would highly recommend that any noble Lords with further questions refer to a new Library briefing published this week. I have also spoken to the clerks and, if there is demand for another background briefing session, they will happily facilitate that. Alternatively, I am sure that the Clerk Assistant or Clerk of Legislation will be happy to discuss individually with any noble Lord any points they wish to raise. At this point, on behalf of the whole House, I put on record my thanks to all the staff of the House and the police for the work that they have done before today, and today, to keep us informed, safe and provided for in the Long Room and other catering outlets.
Turning to today’s proceedings, I will not repeat at length all my previous statements, but I remind noble Lords that, in line with the will of the House for more time, I will seek to adjourn the Committee at around 6 pm, as I did last week. However, any noble Lord can seek to bring proceedings to an end earlier by moving a Motion that the House be now resumed. Equally, we could get to target earlier and the Committee would adjourn earlier. To help noble Lords participate throughout the day, the Whips will facilitate a 40-minute lunch break at around 1 pm.
I also highlight to noble Lords that Committee will begin today with a debate on a group of amendments that was adjourned when the House resumed at 6 pm last Friday. Once the Deputy Chairman of Committees calls the debate on that group of amendments, any noble Lord who was here at the start of that debate last week can participate, but no one else. The clerks have helpfully provided a list of those present, and I have asked the Whips to monitor this.
My noble and learned friend Lord Falconer of Thoroton has set a target for today’s debate. I hope that, with discipline and the usual courtesies of the House, we may progress towards that target. I remind the House of my earlier statement that, if any noble Lord needs to leave the debate towards the end of the day for any particular reasons, including travel, I am very happy to arrange for a meeting or briefing to discuss the Minister’s response, rather than simply having to read it in Hansard.
Courtesy, kindness and respect for noble Lords who may have a different opinion, remembering that they hold that view just as sincerely as one holds one’s own view, should be the cornerstone of our debates today and always. For general guidance on how noble Lords should conduct themselves, I highly recommend the Companion: paragraph 4.29, on page 60, and paragraphs 8.81 and 8.82, on page 143, are particularly relevant to today’s proceedings. Copies of the Companion are available in the Printed Paper Office.
As always, my door remains open to all noble Lords and I want to assist the House. I am in Room 12 on the West Front Corridor. I hope that is welcome and, with that, I think that we should move on to the main business.