§ 32. Mr. Tam Dalyell (Linlithgow)If he will make a statement on the Lord Chancellor's visit to Edinburgh for the opening of the Scottish Parliament. [91630]
§ The Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department (Mr. Keith Vaz)The Lord Chancellor attended the opening of the Scottish Parliament in his capacity as Speaker of the House of Lords.
§ Mr. DalyellHow does the Lord Chancellor define the phrase elegantly used by Madam Speaker, who referred to a "shared role" between Holyrood and Westminster?
§ Mr. VazThe Lord Chancellor and the Government welcome Madam Speaker's statement as providing helpful clarification for the House.
§ Mrs. Jacqui Lait (Beckenham)I wish that I could be so eloquent.
When the Lord Chancellor was in Scotland, did he examine the system of Scottish land tenure, and did he return to England determined to introduce at greater speed the system of commonhold—one of the two promises that the Prime Minister made on which no action has yet been taken?
§ Mr. VazUnfortunately, the Lord Chancellor was extremely busy. He was unable to inspect the hon. Lady's estate and had to come straight back to London to deal with other business. The hon. Lady referred to commonhold, which of course is a manifesto commitment on which she will be hearing from the Government shortly.