Arrangement of Business

Lord Moore of Etchingham Excerpts

Friday 27th February 2026 Lords Chamber

[Lord Lansley (Con)]

My Lords, I have listened to many hours of debate, but I have only spoken to one group so far. I have other amendments in one group later, which I think are very important, but they are 30 groups ahead. I have not taken a position for or against the Bill in principle. We should do our job, which is to make the Bill, as far as we can, fit for purpose and then return it to the other place. We are not going to achieve that unless we each take a personal responsibility to make that happen. For my part, I want to tell noble Lords that I will withdraw or not move my remaining amendments in Committee and consider very carefully which amendments are essential for Report. Otherwise, we cannot meet our obligations.

[Lord Moore of Etchingham (Non-Afl)]

My Lords, I take the point made by the noble Lord, Lord Rooker, and other noble Lords about courtesy in relation to our proceedings. It would be helpful for those of us who are trying to amend the Bill to be told at the time when we are filibustering, because we do not think we are filibustering and we think we are debating the Bill. We would value some guidance if Peers on the other side were to jump up and say it at the time rather than in the papers or on the radio later.

[Lord Harper (Con)]

My Lords, I thank the Chief Whip for the remarks he made earlier and the response that he made in writing to me following the remarks I made at the end of the last session when we had adjourned mid-group. He has committed to make the list that the clerks will compile of those that were present at the beginning of the group available to the various Whips’ offices and the Cross-Benchers so that they can be circulated and everyone is then clear about who was here, which will hopefully avoid the confusion that we had at the beginning of the session a few weeks ago where it was not entirely clear who was present. I think we ended up having some extra speeches from people who perhaps were not necessarily here at the beginning, so I thank him very much for that helpful advice.

On the other points that have been made, very briefly, there absolutely has not been any filibustering.