"And I withdraw the word “unimpressive” and apologise to the noble Lord, Lord Hodgson.
There are two issues for your Lordships to consider. First, are your Lordships satisfied that the issue is important enough to be referred back? Secondly, has it been considered properly by the other place? On the …..." Lord Falconer of Thoroton - View Speech
"I am not taking interventions. Thirteen per cent of the electorate could pass a change in our voting system that would not be passed in the other place. Is that an appropriate basis on which to make a fundamental change? Is there a country in Europe or a developed democracy …..." Lord Falconer of Thoroton - View Speech
"My Lords, the manuscript amendment moved by the noble Lord, Lord Phillips of Sudbury, comes under the part of the schedule headed “Encouraging participation”. As I understand it, he wishes to place on the chief counting officer responsibility for co-ordinating the activities of a regional counting officer, a counting officer …..." Lord Falconer of Thoroton - View Speech
"I apologise to the noble Lord, Lord Phillips, for making two loud noises from a sedentary position, but his point was precisely that which was going through my mind about the noble and learned Lord’s response. It was not clear from what he said whether he would come back with …..." Lord Falconer of Thoroton - View Speech
"I am slightly at a loss. Roughly, in a sentence or two, what are they doing and why are they being done at Report?..." Lord Falconer of Thoroton - View Speech
"The obvious question is, “What are these for?”, but it is just too late at night to ask that—so don’t even get up to respond...." Lord Falconer of Thoroton - View Speech
"My Lords, I am obliged to the Leader of the House. As he has said, we have agreed through the usual channels that Committee on the Bill should be completed at the close of business this Wednesday. This is the product of good discussions on the substance of the Bill …..." Lord Falconer of Thoroton - View Speech
"My Lords, we welcome the amendment spoken to by the noble Baroness, Lady D’Souza, the noble and learned Lord, Lord Woolf, and the noble Lord, Lord Pannick. The amendment to reinstate public inquiries into Boundary Commission proposals provides your Lordships’ House with an opportunity to start edging back from the …..." Lord Falconer of Thoroton - View Speech