International Atomic Energy Agency (Immunities and Privileges) (Amendment) Order 2023

Lord Foulkes of Cumnock Excerpts

Thursday 29th June 2023 Lords Chamber

[Lord Davies of Gower (Con)]

My Lords, on behalf of my noble friend Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park, I beg to move the Motion standing in his name on the Order Paper.

[Lord Foulkes of Cumnock (Lab Co-op)]

My Lords, the noble Lord, Lord Davies, is entirely competent and able to move this Motion, and I accept that. Of course, as always, he did it well. However, as he said, and as we see on the Order Paper, this Motion was supposed to be moved by the noble Lord, Lord Goldsmith, who is one of the subjects of the report produced this morning by the Privileges Committee of the House of Commons.

It is an extraordinary report, the like of which I have never seen before. The noble Lord, Lord Goldsmith, a Minister of the House of Lords, is severely criticised by the Privileges Committee for interfering in the procedures of the House of Commons. In my 44 years in Parliament, I have never known such a criticism. It is astounding. What is happening to the noble Lord, Lord Goldsmith? Is he able, in the light of this criticism, to continue as a Minister of the Government?

[Lord Davies of Gower (Con)]

I note the noble Lord’s comments, and I beg to move.