§ 5.50 p.m.
§ Lord GrocottMy Lords, it is now my duty to move the adjournment of the House until 6.30 p.m., when we shall have Prorogation.
Before doing so, I want to spend a moment or two doing something that is traditional in this House—it is a very welcome tradition—that is, to pay one or two words of very well deserved tribute to the people who work for us in this building and its associated and numerous departments.
When I came here, I knew that this place worked very hard but I did not realise quite how hard. When I totted up, as one does at this time of year, what we have done during the course of this very long Session, the amount achieved is really considerable. We have scrutinised, and received Royal Assent to or are about to receive Royal Assent to, 47 Bills. Our scrutiny is pretty thorough; we can all satisfy ourselves of that.
But it is not only a question of the routine of the year—which, in a sense, we are all here to see to—but also of the unexpected, to which the staff of this House have responded so well. I remind the House that last year—it seems a while ago now—we had three recalls of Parliament during the Summer Recess, which places tremendous pressures on staff. We also had a recall this year and all the organisation associated with the sad death of Her Majesty the Queen Mother. Such events happened during the course of these 18 months and they have placed demands on all the people who work in this place. I, for one, have found them to be unfailingly courteous and helpful.
§ Lord GrocottMy Lords, perhaps they are even more courteous than are some of us in here on occasion. They do a tremendous job.
More useful to me has been the fact that I find members of the staff—sometimes in the least expected quarters—to be the most invaluable sources of information. They are normally able to tell me when the recess dates will be and when the recall of Parliament will occur. They have been very useful today telling me which amendments the Commons will 958 accept and which they will not. The provision of such information, which is not part of the job description of the staff, has been particularly useful.
I come to the point at which I have to decide who to mention and who not to mention. That is always invidious, whatever list one chooses. I propose to mention just two people who have given remarkable service here, both of whom are known to us all.
Mr Bibbiani is retiring—he seems too young—after 22 years in this place. He has given tremendous service. He is particularly liked and admired by staff, of whom he takes tremendous care. He tells me that he will do much travelling when he leaves here. Having been confined to the building for so long, I suppose that there will be an element of release. However, I also know because he has told me that he will have very mixed feelings about leaving a place of which he is so fond.
The other person I shall mention in terms of service is Mr Vallance White whose length of service was quite phenomenal. He retired having given 41 years' service to this House. If I were to list what he had done in those 41 years, we should not prorogue by 6.30 because his is a really formidable list of service. Most recently, he was head of the Judicial Office.
When people come here, they tend to stay here; if we are life Peers, I suppose that that is quite nice. It is also true of the staff. Things cannot be too bad here because they stay and do all that they can to make the work that we do—it is undoubtedly a pleasant task, at least so far as I am concerned—even more pleasant.
Finally, I cannot really thank them for their help because it is not the job of the two Chief Whips or the Convenor of the Cross Benches to help me as such—sometimes they do; sometimes they do not. However, we always get on extremely well and I thank them for that. I also see in his place my very good noble friend Lord Carter, who not only helped me before I took on this job—he did not warn me at all about the hours that were involved—but has helped me since. With those words and with repeated thanks to those who have served and helped us, I beg to move that we adjourn until 6.30 p.m.
Moved, That the House do adjourn until 6.30 p.m.—(Lord Grocott.)
§ Lord Cope of BerkeleyMy Lords, I am delighted to support the Motion that we adjourn until 6.30 p.m. I also want to associate both myself and my party with the words of the noble Lord the Captain of the Gentlemen-at-Arms about the staff of the House, who serve us so well. I agree very much with the sentiments that he expressed. All the staff of the House serve us exceptionally well and are unfailingly courteous. I believe that that makes us courteous as well and adds immeasurably to the whole atmosphere of your Lordships' House.
The noble Lord the Captain of the Gentlemen-at-Arms mentioned two individuals and I support what he said in both cases. Mr Vallance White obviously provides a first-class example of the excellent service that we receive from our Clerks. He has served for 959 many, many years. Mr Bibbiani has led exceptionally well those who keep us refreshed. Again, a very important part of the life of your Lordships' House revolves around the activities of the Refreshment Department as well as the activities of the Chamber and the Clerks, if I can put it that way.
One could mention many other groups and individuals who serve us very well. Perhaps I may refer to two individuals who, although not in the capacity of their service to this House, have distinguished themselves recently. A few days ago Mr Stocks and Mr Wiggins, two of our Doorkeepers, completed the New York Marathon. I understand that Mr Stocks did so in three hours, 38 minutes. Your Lordships will realise that that is about the time that it takes us to deal with two groups of amendments. It is an interesting example of achievement outside the House from those who serve us here. All the different departments of the House—I do not propose to list them—serve us extremely well.
I also want to add a word about the personal staff of Members who serve us in this House and the staff of, for example, the Opposition office. They also do a tremendous job. This has been a very long Session with some notable Bills—none more so than the Animal Health Bill, which we have just completed. That Bill started its life in this place a long time ago and has been a feature of the year.
Other events during the year have also put additional burdens on the staff. The exceptional number of recalls that we have had is one example. The lying-in-state of the Queen Mother and the ceremonies connected with that placed a special burden on certain Members of this House, in particular. All of them did exceptionally well and their work was much appreciated by the country as well as by Members of your Lordships' House.
Finally, I endorse entirely the words of the noble Lord the Captain of the Gentlemen-at-Arms with regard to the co-operation that takes place between the Whips' offices—both when the noble Lord, Lord Carter, was Chief Whip and since he took over the reins himself. Of course, I include the Chief Whips of the Liberal Democrat Party and the Cross-Benchers. We have to be careful of the Cross-Benchers because the noble and gallant Lord always ensures that we recognise the different position that he holds in respect of his Members in comparison with ours. As a matter of fact, it is not so different as he might suppose. We are sometimes credited with all kinds of powers. Perhaps I should not mention that because we like to maintain at least the fiction that we have such powers.
Nevertheless, I appreciate very much the co-operation that we receive. I hope that your Lordships feel that the usual channels help to smooth the business of the House and to ensure that it is as effective as possible in the service of the country.
§ 6 p.m.
§ Lord RoperMy Lords, from these Benches I support the Motion and the views expressed by the Captain of the Gentlemen-at-Arms. We are all looking 960 forward to seeing him in that uniform for the first time next week. The whole House will be delighted to hear of his recent nomination to the Privy Council.
Like the noble Lord, Lord Cope, and the Convenor, I believe that the co-operation that exists among the offices of the various groups in this House is of service to the whole House and it is a real pleasure to have the chance to work with the Captain of the Gentlemen-at-Arms, with the noble Lord, Lord Cope, and with the noble and gallant Lord, Lord Craig. I believe that this year we have been able, in a number of ways, to improve our co-operation with other people and carry through the changes in working practices from which I hope that the House will benefit in the new Session. As the Captain said, this has been a long and difficult Session, but I believe that we have performed our essential function of scrutiny adequately, particularly on the four Bills that we have considered in the past few weeks.
I, too, want to thank those who serve us so extraordinarily well in this House. Those who work in the Office of the Clerk of the Parliaments, in the Library, in Black Rod's Department, in Hansard, in the Refreshment Department, for the police and, as has been said, those who serve in the offices of the various Whips and of the Convenor all ensure that matters move effectively. I particularly draw attention to the additional strain put on those responsible for our security since 11th September. The security is efficient; although we do not see it, we realise that it is something to be taken into account.
Like those who have spoken, I want to refer to two distinguished servants of this House, one of whom has left and the other who is to leave. Mr Bibbiani was a very strong candidate. I understand that when he applied for his job there were 82 other candidates for his post. Those who saw the development of the Refreshment Department over the years will know that he has done a great deal to diversify and extend the range of meals available to us. I have heard about his travel plans and that recently his staff enabled him to pursue his passion for Formula 1 motor racing, as he was treated to a spin around Brands Hatch. I am sure that he will have more opportunities to continue to watch Charlton Athletic, as he has for some time. His season ticket will come in useful. I support all that has been said.
James Vallance White was here for a considerable time. He was a model of the combination of elegance and erudition that one expects from those who serve in the Office of the Clerk. In recent years he has been particularly important in bringing the Register of Members' Interests into fruition, which has been a complicated process.
Noble Lords in the House are very fortunate in many ways, particularly because we work in an environment made efficient, secure and agreeable by so many other people. I join those noble Lords who wish to thank them today.
§ Lord Craig of RadleyMy Lords, I rise to support the Motion. On behalf of all Cross-Bench Peers, I 961 should like to express our thanks and appreciation to all who work on your Lordships' behalf to help with the smooth and efficient running of the House and all the facilities that are enjoyed in the Palace. I, too, most warmly associate these Benches with the fulsome and most fully deserved tributes and thanks to Mr James Vallance White and to Mr Alfio Bibbiani. It is for others to comment on James Vallance White's discharge of his duties in the rarefied atmosphere of the Judicial Office, but, as has indeed already been mentioned, his help and guidance to all noble Lords with the register of interests was most commendable and very valuable. Such long years of commitment that these two individuals have given to this House is indeed worthy of very special thanks and heartfelt appreciation.
Each time that we make the opportunity to express our thanks and appreciation, it is becoming fashionable—inevitable even—that reference will be made to another even busier Session than ever before. There may be a ceiling to such sentiments, but I doubt that it has yet been reached.
New methods of working, hours of sitting and changes to past practices will lead to adjustments—some well received and perhaps some that will not be—in the routines of all that work in the Palace. But I am sure that those on whom we rely will be positive and flexible in their approach. So in thanking all for their efforts in the Session that is just ending, I believe that it is also appropriate to express hope and confidence that your Lordships' House will continue to be ably and loyally supported by all departments in future Sessions. It is indeed a pleasure and a privilege to work with such dedicated and charming individuals.
Finally, I thank the Government Chief Whips, the past and the present, for all that they have done in helping and advising the Convenor in his office and indeed to the Opposition Chief Whips. If any of them should wish to have any advice on how to bring independents into line, I am not sure whether they could give it to me or I to them.
§ The Lord Bishop of OxfordMy Lords, I rise on behalf of the Bishops' Benches to add our thanks to the expressions of gratitude which have been made to the list of people who serve the House in so many capacities, as the noble Lord, Lord Roper, has mentioned, and to those many people we do not see, but upon whom we depend. There is unfailing courtesy, kindness and helpfulness to all noble Lords, but I think that perhaps the Bishops are particularly aware of this because there may be a certain sense of helplessness about us. We are aware that those we meet around the House are especially kind and helpful to us. We are very grateful for that.
§ Lord AmpthillMy Lords, after all the distinguished people who have spoken, perhaps I may briefly speak of both persons mentioned by the Government Chief Whip. Glancingly, I refer to Mr Vallance White. He very briefly was my Clerk when I inherited the job of chairman of the Refreshment Department. I do not 962 know how he survived, but he moved on to much higher things and rightly remained there until the end of his career in this House.
I was the one, in conjunction with the then Clerk of the Parliaments, Mr Peter Henderson as he then was, who engaged Mr Bibbiani. As has already been said, 83 people applied for the job. We got it down to two. Peter and I had a little debate about whether the admirable Englishman or the excellent Italian should have the job. We agreed that the Italian should have it. But he designated me to ring up the then Leader of the House, Lord Soames, to ascertain whether it was all right for their Lordships' House to engage the services of an Italian. That was 22 years ago when there was a large number of unemployed in this country, and I asked:
Would it be all right?Not worrying about the call, I picked the phone up. I was seen off in such a manner that Your Lordships would be shocked if I repeated the language used by Lord Soames. He asked how could I be so stupid as not to hire the Italian? We duly did. He has served us magnificently over the 22 years. I, who ran the department for 12 years, will always be grateful to him. I am sure the House is too.
§ Lord GrocottMy Lords, in moving that the House adjourn until 6.30 p.m., my final word, which I hope the House will approve, is to the Lord Chairman. This will be the last time that, as Lord Chairman, he will be putting a Motion, and I think that we should acknowledge that.
§ Moved, accordingly, and, on Question, Motion agreed to.
§ [The Sitting was suspended from 6.10 to 6.30 p.m.]