HL Deb 23 May 1985 vol 464 cc473-4
Lord Denham

My Lords, so many kind things have been said in the past few minutes that, in moving that the House do adjourn, I should just like to add one matter. We have had a very tiring and very taxing time. Throughout that time we have been looked after as well as we ever have been by all the staff in this House, never complaining about the late hours they have—and they have just as late hours as we have, and sometimes later. I think we all owe them a very great debt of gratitude. I should also like to wish every noble Lord in every part of the House a very happy and restful Recess.

Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede

My Lords, I should like to echo the remarks of the noble Lord the Government Chief Whip in thanking all members of the staff of the House in all different parts of the House and indeed throughout the Palace, for helping us and looking after us during this difficult Committee stage. Fortunately, we have not had to sit through the night during the Committee stage, though sometimes we have sat fairly late. I promised the Government Chief Whip that he would have the Bill by 4 p.m. today. There are still four minutes to go; so we are on time with this particular schedule. I join him in wishing all noble Lords a restful Recess before we resume again, on this Bill and the Transport Bill.

Lord Kilmarnock

My Lords, we on these Benches should like very much to associate ourselves with the remarks of the Government Chief Whip directed especially towards the staff. It is much to the credit of Members on all sides of the House that we are almost exactly on course at four minutes to four o'clock on Thursday afternoon. I should like to wish, on behalf of my noble friends, all Members of the House and the staff a very well-deserved Recess, which I think will be particularly needed before we return for the Report stage of the Bill, despite the lecture that has been delivered by the noble Lord, Lord Harmar-Nicholls.

House adjourned for the Spring Bank Holiday Recess at three minutes before four o'clock.