HL Deb 16 January 1986 vol 469 cc1161-2

3.17 p.m.

Lord Campbell of Croy

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question standing in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether press reports are correct that the contents of the Woolsack need renewal, and if so whether Commonwealth wool producers are being invited to contribute.

The Lord Chancellor (Lord Hailsham of Saint Marylebone)

My Lords, it may be that the House would expect me to declare an interest. I was at first of the opinion that the question whether the Woolsack should be stuffed was a responsibility of the House and not the Government, but I am advised that the PSA is partly responsible, so I think the best thing I can do is to give the facts. The contents of the Woolsack were replenished fully in 1972 and have been regularly maintained since. It currently contains wools from Commonwealth countries, including a small quantity of wool from the Falkland Islands which was added in 1983.

Lord Campbell of Croy

My Lords, I am most grateful to my noble and learned friend for that definitive Coming as it does from the best placed authority possible, it should put an end to the speculation which there has been in the press. Has my noble and learned friend any information on why this story appeared in several reputable newspapers? Could it have been concern that more repairs were needed after the ceiling started to fall upon us, or a deep-seated conviction that this House has a long future before it extending over many years?

The Lord Chancellor

My Lords, I wholeheartedly agree with the latter part of my noble friend's Question. My own understanding of the matter is rather a curious one. When my father occupied the Woolsack, our wise Victorian ancestors had it stuffed with horsehair. This was then thought to be inappropriate and the present arrangement, that it should be filled with wool, was in fact arrived at by general consent. I think those who made the latter arrangement did not quite understand that wool when sat on rapidly becomes felt. The article in question has at the moment two large grooves in it which slope outwards. But I fully agree with my noble friend that on the whole we may expect to leave things as they are for the time being.

Lord Elwyn-Jones

My Lords, if it be the case that a succession of Lord Chancellors have contributed by weightiness, not only in the words that they have uttered but by the impact that they have made on the Woolsack, is it not desirable to maintain the change in tradition made in, I think it was, 1938, when wool was substituted for horsehair? Is wool indeed not a more suitable matter with which the Woolsack should be stuffed, if "stuffed" is not too inelegant a word to apply to so historic and ancient an object? May I add this? When the use of wool is considered I hope that the noble and learned Lord who will have great influence on these matters will not overlook the claims of the Welsh mountain sheep.

The Lord Chancellor

My Lords, I have some reason to think that the United Kingdom in all its parts contributes to the contents of this piece of furniture; and I certainly appreciate the interest of the noble and learned Lord in Wales in this matter.

Lord Peyton of Yeovil

My Lords, whatever doubts there may be about the contents of the Woolsack and their condition, is it not absolutely clear that there can be no doubt whatsoever as to the qualities of its present occupant?

The Lord Chancellor

My Lords, my noble friend must spare my blushes.

Lord Wells-Pestell

My Lords, may I ask the noble and learned Lord whether it is true that many, if not all, of us who sit on the Woolsack leave little impression?

The Lord Chancellor

My Lords, I think that we all appreciate what the noble Lord does when he is good enough to take the place of the Lord Chancellor.

The Earl of Cork and Orrery

My Lords, which Secretary of State holds the ultimate responsibility for wool gathering?

The Lord Chancellor

Environment, of course, my Lords.