HL Deb 08 November 1973 vol 346 cc479-81
EARL ST. ALDWYN

My Lords, on behalf of my noble friend the Leader of the House, I beg to move the second Motion standing in his name on the Order Paper. In doing so, may I say that although your Lordships will see that the noble Lord, Lord Beswick, is proposed as a member of the Committee, as you know he is not continuing as Opposition Chief Whip. I should like to thank him for the kind things he said about me on Tuesday, and also to take this opportunity of welcoming his successor, the noble Baroness, Lady Llewelyn-Davies of Hastoe. I found her, as his deputy, a formidable advocate on behalf of the Opposition, and I have no doubt that I shall find her even more formidable in the role of Opposition Chief Whip. Nevertheless, welcome her and wish her every success.

May I also take the opportunity of advising the House that dinners will be available tonight, although I am afraid that it will not be possible for your Lordships to entertain guests.

Moved, That a Select Committee be appointed for the general supervision of arrangements relating to leave of absence, and that as proposed by the Committee of Selection the Lords following, with the Chairman of Committees, be named of the Committee:—

—(Earl St. Aldwyn.)

BARONESS LLEWELYN-DAVIES OF HASTOE

My Lords, may I thank the Chief Whip very much indeed for what he has said? I have myself always found him an extremely formidable opponent—and he is rather larger than I am, anyway. For six years the whole House has been splendidly served by my noble friend Lord Beswick. I am deeply grateful to my Party for electing me to this high office, and I should just like to promise that I will do my best to keep the very high standards that have always been at your Lordships' service. I am particularly looking forward to cooperation with the usual channels who, against all odds, manage to keep the arrangements in your Lordships' House ticking over.

LORD AMULREE

My Lords, I should like to say a word of appreciation of the work that the noble Lord, Lord Beswick, did as Chief Whip for the Opposition. We greatly admired him: we always got on extremely well and I found him very good. I am sure that the same will apply to the noble Baroness, Lady Llewelyn-Davies of Hastoe, and we are pleased to see her taking her place on the Front Bench.

On Question, Motion agreed to.