HL Deb 18 December 1986 vol 483 cc341-2

3.36 p.m.

Before I move the Adjournment of the House, I should like to wish a happy Christmas and New Year Recess on behalf of my noble friends and noble Lords in all parts of the House, and on behalf of the whole House, to those who serve us so well and so patiently at this end of the Palace of Westminster.

Baroness David

My Lords, in the absence of my noble friend Lord Ponsonby, I should like to add my good wishes to Members on every side of the House and in every quarter, and wish them a very happy Christmas and a happy and, I suppose I must say, prosperous New Year. Perhaps I should have some reservations about that. I heartily endorse everything that has been said about every member of the staff of the House in every part—and there are a great many parts—and wish them, too, a very happy Christmas and New Year.

Lord Tordoff

My Lords, I should like from these Benches, and with the assurance that my noble friend Lady Stedman would have been here to join in adding her wishes if she could, to wish the whole House a very happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year, without reservations. I express great thanks to all the people who work in the House both in the Chamber and outside and, as was put to me by a noble Lord a few minutes ago, to the people who have redecorated the Palace, especially those who were working on the Throne, which is now such a great glory to the Chamber. There are so many people both inside and outside the House who contribute to the daily workings of the House that it would take too long to express personal thanks to them all, but I am sure that the mood is that we should all go away and have a very happy Christmas and come back to a good and successful New Year.

Baroness Hylton-Foster

My Lords, we on these Benches would also like to extend our thanks to all those who look after us so well and of course wish everyone a very happy Christmas, with good wishes for the New year.

House adjourned for the Christmas Recess at twenty-two minutes before four o'clock until Monday, 12th January next.