§ Lord DenhamMy Lords, in moving the adjournment of the House, I should like to echo what my noble friend has said to noble Lords opposite and reciprocate what the noble Baroness, Lady Jeger, has said about good wishes to all parts of the House. However, I should also like to speak for the House as a whole, which I think I may, in thanking all those who help us and who have helped us so well over this last Session in all parts of the building, including outside the actual Chamber itself, and wishing them a very happy Christmas, a very pleasant Recess, and a very fortunate New Year.
§ Baroness DavidMy Lords, may I follow the Government Chief Whip by wishing all noble Lords on all sides of the House a happy Christmas and also an interesting New Year. From these Benches, we also should like to thank all staff in the Chamber, outside the Chamber—everywhere in the House—for the good service that we receive. This was mentioned in the debate yesterday but I should like to repeat it because I think that we are extremely lucky. I should like to wish all of them a very happy Christmas and prosperous New Year.
§ Lord KilmarnockMy Lords, from these Benches, after wishing noble Lords opposite a very happy Christmas, I should simply like to quote what my noble friend Lord Donaldson said in yesterday's debate. At col. 676 he said:
It is fashionable now to talk about infrastructure. I have to confess that I think that the infrastructure here is a good deal too 761 good for what is above it. The place not only runs smoothly; it runs politely and with good manners. Our assistants from Black Rod through all the administrative levels to our splendid and omniscient clerks, our admirable attendants, doorkeepers and policemen, not excluding our restaurants and bars and their charming servers and the tireless cleaning ladies, are not only friendly but actually friends.I could not put it better than that, and on behalf of my noble friends I should like to wish all members of our infrastructure a very happy Christmas and a very well earned rest before we return to our labours.
§ Lord McNairMy Lords, first, may I convey the apologies of my noble friend Lord Tordoff, who has had to attend a funeral this morning. I think that I have the sense of the House if I say that a long speech from me would not be particularly acceptable. Therefore, may I echo all the words that have been spoken by the Government Chief Whip and all the words that have come from the Opposition Bench and from my noble friend, and wish everybody a very happy Christmas.
§ House adjourned for the Christmas Recess at twenty-five minutes past one o'clock until Monday, 14th January next.