HL Deb 01 August 1984 vol 455 cc862-3
The Earl of Swinton

My Lords, before I move the adjournment of the House, may I take the opportunity, from this Dispatch box, of wishing all noble Lords and Ladies in all parts of the House a very happy and peaceful summer break. I think everyone would agree on all sides of the House that we have had a very busy and lengthy Session; it has been one of the busiest for some time. Again, I am sure that all noble Lords and Ladies on all sides of the House will join with me in paying our tributes and offering our thanks to the staff, who have really made life very tolerable for us in extremely difficult conditions. To those we see, and to the many behind the scenes whom we do not see, I am sure noble Lords would wish to say thank you very much indeed.

Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede

My Lords, I should like to join with the Deputy Chief Whip in the best wishes which he has extended to Members of the House and in the thanks he has extended to the staff of the House. Particularly I should like to extend a vote of thanks to the staff of the refreshment department, who have had to cope with a unique number of late night sittings and also with a unique number of very large Divisions; they have had to cope with a lot of hungry Peers at very late hours. I know that this will have brought a smile to the chairman of the refreshment committee, but it is something for which we are very grateful. We are grateful for the patience, tolerance and good humour which has been shown at such times. We shall return in October reinvigorated for the fight, and I can assure the Deputy Chief Whip that I shall do my utmost to see that the Government are not free from embarrassment.

Lord Kilmarnock

My Lords, we on these Benches would also like to wish noble Lords a very happy and well deserved recess. We hope that noble Lords on the other Benches will not hold it against us that we were responsible for the debate this afternoon. I think, as the noble Lord, Lord Diamond, said, it has been well worth while. Finally, we would like to associate ourselves with the remarks of the Deputy Chief Whip about the staff. We really could not function without them, and we hope that they will not hold it against us that we have kept them in the House until five minutes to eight this evening—it is not too bad; I thought it might be later.