Media and Lobby Briefings

Debate between Earl Howe and Lord Puttnam

Tuesday 4th February 2020 Lords Chamber

[Earl Howe]

The noble Lord may be quite right. There probably was a lot of interest, but I say again that this briefing was to selected journalists. Other journalists had every opportunity yesterday at Greenwich and after the Prime Minister’s speech to ask any question they liked through the lobby process.

[Lord Puttnam (Lab)]

My Lords, can the Minister help me with at least this? When I first came to this Chamber, I was taught that the key quality of this House was to spot the slippery slope when it saw it. That has been absolutely true of the 20 years I have been here. Is it reasonable for this House to point out the slippery slope when it becomes obvious?

[Earl Howe]

If that does become obvious, then of course it is noble Lords’ duty to bring it to the Government’s attention.