Comments on: Ping Pong http://lordsoftheblog.net/2009/07/15/ping-pong/ Life and Work in the House of Lords Fri, 10 Feb 2012 14:26:58 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1 By: Lord Tyler http://lordsoftheblog.net/2009/07/15/ping-pong/comment-page-1/#comment-4810 Lord Tyler Thu, 16 Jul 2009 08:19:44 +0000 http://lordsoftheblog.net/?p=3095#comment-4810 Thank you stephenpaterson for underlining a vital point about "Parliamentary Ping Pong" which I should have emphasised. Time sensitivity is crucial. When, as now, Ministers are desperate to make progress before a particular date - a long Recess, or even better the end of the session or better still of the Parliament - the Lords have much more muscle. When the Queen is waiting to open a new session, or even dissolve Parliament, it is remarkable what we can persuade Ministers to do. Where there is less urgency, the Government of the day can probably over-turn Lords amendments with its Commons majority. Hence, the extra danger of postponing consideration of this Bill until the autumn. For a detailed analysis of how ping pong can operate, perhaps we should wait until next week and see what happens ? Thank you stephenpaterson for underlining a vital point about “Parliamentary Ping Pong” which I should have emphasised.

Time sensitivity is crucial. When, as now, Ministers are desperate to make progress before a particular date – a long Recess, or even better the end of the session or better still of the Parliament – the Lords have much more muscle. When the Queen is waiting to open a new session, or even dissolve Parliament, it is remarkable what we can persuade Ministers to do.

Where there is less urgency, the Government of the day can probably over-turn Lords amendments with its Commons majority. Hence, the extra danger of postponing consideration of this Bill until the autumn.

For a detailed analysis of how ping pong can operate, perhaps we should wait until next week and see what happens ?

]]> By: stephenpaterson http://lordsoftheblog.net/2009/07/15/ping-pong/comment-page-1/#comment-4809 stephenpaterson Thu, 16 Jul 2009 00:16:25 +0000 http://lordsoftheblog.net/?p=3095#comment-4809 I have been hoping for a post on 'ping pong' for some time. I know, of course, that a Bill goes back and forth between the two Houses during this process, but what I was rather interested in was what else, if anything, happens. Is there any attempt at mediation, or at explaining the details of positions? Detailed discussions by representatives of each House? If so, do the same officers of each House process the matters each time, or do they vary from Bill to Bill etc? From what I can make out, the Lords position is strongest when a matter is time sensitive, as this one is certainly perceived to be, is this correct? Thank you, Lord Tyler, for raising the ping pong subject. I have been hoping for a post on ‘ping pong’ for some time. I know, of course, that a Bill goes back and forth between the two Houses during this process, but what I was rather interested in was what else, if anything, happens. Is there any attempt at mediation, or at explaining the details of positions? Detailed discussions by representatives of each House? If so, do the same officers of each House process the matters each time, or do they vary from Bill to Bill etc?

From what I can make out, the Lords position is strongest when a matter is time sensitive, as this one is certainly perceived to be, is this correct?

Thank you, Lord Tyler, for raising the ping pong subject.

]]> By: Alfred http://lordsoftheblog.net/2009/07/15/ping-pong/comment-page-1/#comment-4808 Alfred Wed, 15 Jul 2009 13:55:55 +0000 http://lordsoftheblog.net/?p=3095#comment-4808 Yet more Westminster government legislation, not fit for purpose. If the Westminster government had had its way, and managed to cripple the House of Lords, bill after faulty bill would now be on the books and we would all be reaping the unexpected consequences. There has to be a better way to get MPs to do their scrutinising job properly. Yet more Westminster government legislation, not fit for purpose. If the Westminster government had had its way, and managed to cripple the House of Lords, bill after faulty bill would now be on the books and we would all be reaping the unexpected consequences. There has to be a better way to get MPs to do their scrutinising job properly.

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