HL Deb 07 November 1974 vol 354 cc587-8

3.25 p.m.

LORD SHEPHERD rose to move. That the Baroness Tweedsmuir of Belhelvie be appointed Deputy Chairman of Committees for this Session. The noble Lord said: My Lords, this appointment, which was first made last Session, carries with it the Chairmanship of the Select Committee on European Communities. As we shall be debating the Special Report of the Committee later this afternoon, I do not propose to say any more than a few words. I have no doubt that noble Lords will be expressing their appreciation to my noble friend Lord Diamond for the work he has undertaken in establishing the Committee, and for getting so much support from the membership of the Committee as a whole. I pay my own tribute to him. If we regret that my noble friend Lord Diamond should now become Chairman of a Royal Commission and therefore can no longer be of service, this is tempered, I hope, by the fact that the noble Baroness, Lady Tweedsmuir of Belhelvie, is willing to be appointed Deputy Chairman of Committees. I would urge the House to agree with this Motion.

My Lords, I will not disguise from the House that about half an hour ago I was receiving stern strictures from my noble friend Lady Summerskill about the appointment of women Peers to a certain Committee. My noble friend will appreciate that this Motion is not a result of those strictures, but I hope she will feel that the Motion I am moving this afternoon at least provides for me some saving grace in her estimation. The appointment which I move is not on the basis that it is right and proper that a woman should become Deputy Chairman of Committees; it is because I and those whom I have consulted felt that the noble Baroness, Lady Tweedsmuir of Belhelvie, was the right person to undertake these tasks. She has the character, the drive and enthusiasm to make this important Committee work. I hope the House will agree with the Motion.

SEVERAL NOBLE LORDS: Hear, hear.

Moved, That the Baroness Tweedsmuir of Belhelvie be appointed Deputy Chairman of Committees for this Session.—(Lord Shepherd.)

LORD CARRINGTON

My Lords, I should not like it to go unsaid from this side that we, too, are grateful to the noble Lord, Lord Diamond, for the splendid job he did. It is sad that as he has now gone to redistribute any of the wealth we may have left after next Tuesday, it is necessary to redistribute his job to my noble friend Lady Tweedsmuir of Belhelvie. Alas! she will be lost from those on the Front Bench, but I think her appointment will be a gain to the whole House.

LORD AMULREE

My Lords, I should like to associate myself with what has been said about the appointment. We on these Benches are extremely sorry that the noble Lord, Lord Diamond, has gone, but he has taken on a job that we know he will do well. We are very pleased that the noble Baroness, Lady Tweedsmuir of Belhelvie, has become the new Deputy Chairman of Committees.

On Question, Motion agreed to.