HL Deb 31 March 1977 vol 381 cc1042-3
The CHAIRMAN of COMMITTEES (Lord Aberdare)

My Lords, I beg to move the Motion standing in my name on the Order Paper.

Moved, That so much of the Order of the House of 9th December last as relates to the appointment of Mr. T. G. Talbot, C.B., Q.C. and Sir Robert Speed, C.B., Q.C. as Examiners of Petitions for Private Bills be discharged.—(Lord Aberdare.)

Lord HAILSHAM of SAINT MARYLEBONE

My Lords, before agreeing to this Motion, may I say that we very much appreciate what these two gentlemen have done. The subject matter of their work was contentious but no one has criticised the impartiality with which they discharged their duties and, if I may be allowed a personal view, I was enormously impressed with the reasoning of the report. Some of us in the profession remember Mr. Talbot's father, a much loved Judge of the King's Bench Division, and we are glad to see that his son is carrying on the splendid family tradition.

The CHAIRMAN of COMMITTEES

My Lords, I am grateful to the noble and learned Lord. Certainly, they had a difficult task and, together with the other Examiners, they discharged it with great skill. I will, if I may, pass on the remarks of the noble and learned Lord to both the gentlemen concerned.

On Question, Motion agreed to.