Travelling back to Hull on the train last night, I was sat opposite a businessman who was using his mobile ‘phone. He was speaking loudly. I was sufficiently engrossed in my work not to pay much attention to what he was saying. However, at one point I did hear: “No, no, don’t call it a bonus. …
The House this evening agreed to suspend two peers, Lords Truscott and Taylor of Blackburn. After a very good debate, the House agreed, without a vote, to accept the first report of the Privileges Committee (thus agreeing that we had the power to suspend members) as well as the second (with its findings in respect of…
The Commons will elect a new Speaker on 22 June. The circumstances of the departure of the current Speaker are unprecedented in recent history. The method of selecting his successor will also create history: for the first time, MPs will vote by secret ballot. The choice of the Speaker is a matter for the Commons. …
A couple of weekend quiz questions. 1. How many members of the House of Lords have held the position of Chief of the Defence Staff? Who are they? 2. Sir Anthony Clarke, the Master of the Rolls, will be introduced into the House of Lords next week. Why will he make history later this year?
We have just concluded the short debate I initiated on public consultations by Government Departments. It was a useful debate. The text can be read in Hansard tomorrow. My contribution to the debate was informed by earlier responses to my posts on consultation. In his contribution to the debate, Lord Maclennan called attention to this blog and,…
