Tributes: Lord Laming

Lord Gardiner of Kimble Excerpts

Wednesday 22nd July 2026 Lords Chamber

[The Lord Bishop of Hereford]

My Lords, it is with great sadness that the Lords spiritual join all noble Lords in marking the passing of Lord Laming, a great friend to so many of my colleagues, a man whose life of public service spanned many decades and whose influence was felt far beyond the institutions in which he formally served. Throughout a distinguished career in social work, public administration and Parliament, he brought wisdom, integrity and an unwavering commitment to the protection of the vulnerable.

We remember him with particular gratitude for the values that animated his work—values that resonate deeply with the mission of the Church, which he loved. He was always someone who looked out for others, who was prepared to stop and speak to staff and check how they were. He had an extraordinary memory for names and the details of people’s lives. He was genuinely interested to hear how people and their families were doing, always cheerful, smiling and with something positive to say, demonstrating his great skill of pastoral ministry, even to bishops. He was a trailblazer in his field and, long before safeguarding became the central concern that it rightly is today, Lord Laming understood that the measure of a society is found in the way it treats those who are most vulnerable and least able to speak for themselves.

As we have heard, the inquiry into the tragic death of Victoria Climbié became a watershed moment for child protection in this country, helping to transform attitudes, practice and accountability across public services. Across the Church, like many institutions, we have learned much from the culture of vigilance, responsibility and care that he consistently advocated.

His work served as a reminder that safeguarding is not merely a matter of procedure but a moral obligation rooted in respect for the dignity of every human person. In that sense, his legacy has made a lasting contribution to the life and witness of the Church, as well as to the wider public realm.

In this House, Lord Laming was widely respected for his independence of mind, his courtesy and his ability to command trust across differences. As Convenor of the Cross Benches and later as Chairman of Committees, he exemplified public service of the highest order. He allowed the Bishops to attend the regular Cross-Bench meeting as what he called “honorary members”. His steady, forensic mind helped hold the Church to account during his time as a member of the Ecclesiastical Committee. Yet perhaps his greatest legacy lies not in the offices he held but in the countless lives made safer because he refused to look away from difficult truths. His determination that vulnerable children should be seen, heard and protected reflected a profound belief in human worth, one that Christians recognise as flowing from the conviction that every person is created in the image of God.

We give thanks for his life, for his faithfulness to public duty, for his compassion and for his enduring contribution to the welfare of children and families. Our prayers are with his family and friends and with all those whose lives were touched by his kindness, wisdom and service. May he rest in peace and rise in glory.

[Lord Gardiner of Kimble (Con)]

My Lords, Lord Laming fulfilled his role as Chairman of Committees with considerable distinction. He was dedicated to the service of your Lordships’ House, and indeed, as we have heard, his appointment steadied the ship. He would be a hard act to follow, and his support for his successors as Chairman of Committees and Senior Deputy Speaker was absolute. I shall for ever remember his wisdom and innate kindness. It was a privilege to work with him on the many committees that the Senior Deputy Speaker chairs, often turning to him first to open the consideration; his sound judgment set the tone.

He spoke to everyone in that gentle and clear manner, but let us not forget his determination and tenacity when needed. There was no side to the noble Lord; he was utterly consistent in his decency and resolve. His humanity meant that he dealt with us all with good humour and grace. The noble Lord worked tirelessly for your Lordships, so often unknown to many. It is with profound sadness, and yet with gratitude, that I add these all too inadequate words to recognise such a public servant. Lord Laming was an exemplar that good does, in the end, prevail.

[Lord Howell of Guildford (Con)]

My Lords, Herbert Laming, as Chairman of Committees, was the one who enabled us to set up a foreign affairs Committee; we called it the International Relations Committee. At last, after many struggles and many years, he enabled it to happen. That committee, of course, has been an outstanding success and has had considerable impact on public thinking, ideas and debate. In retrospect, I believe that will come to be seen as one of his greatest achievements.