§ The Lord Chancellor (Lord Mackay of Clashfern)My Lords, before the commencement of business I take the opportunity to inform the House that, with the approval of Her Majesty the Queen, I have accepted an invitation from the Dean of the University of Hong Kong to attend a conference to mark the 20th anniversary of full-time legal education in Hong Kong. Accordingly, I trust the House will agree to grant me leave of absence for Tuesday 12th, Wednesday 13th, Thursday 14th and Monday 18th December.