§ Lord DenhamMy Lords, in moving the adjournment of the House, I should like on behalf of noble Lords on these Benches to wish noble Lords from all parts of the Chamber a happy Christmas, a refreshing Recess and an equally happy New Year. I believe that I speak for the whole House in wishing the same to the many people in the Palace of Westminster who make possible all the work which we carry out in this place. I refer to all those who look after our 970 comfort, to those who undertake the back-up facilities of every kind and especially to those concerned with security outside. I extend that wish to the Hansard writers, to those in the Press Gallery and the Lobby and to the television crews who bring what we do inside this Chamber to the world outside.
On this occasion I should like to offer particular thanks and good wishes to the Clerk of the Parliaments whose Christmas Recess will be rather longer than that of the rest of us; but who, nonetheless, we hope to see back in this building many times in the future.
§ Lord Graham of EdmontonMy Lords, it only remains for me to say, "Amen". However, I believe that convention will allow me to say a little more. The noble Lord, Lord Denham, in his customary efficient style has virtually covered all those people whom we should mention. I do not intend to refer to any particular group because what he said was said with a full heart, and most generously, on behalf of the whole House. Although he speaks from his side of the House, I know that everything said by me and others will be virtually a repeat of what he said.
However, in the absence of my noble friend Lord Cledwyn, I should like to take this opportunity to say that we recognise that the past few weeks have been particularly traumatic, not least for the Government Chief Whip and for the leadership of the House. We recognise, as always, that the new Leader of the House, as was the case with his predecessor, and the noble Lord, Lord Denham, act invariably on behalf of the whole House, without any partisan interest whatever. We are most grateful for that fact,
As we thank all of those who have made our time in this House since we last paid tribute to them comparatively comfortable, I should like to take this opportunity to express our thanks to the noble Lord the Leader of the House and the noble Lord, Lord Denham, because there are many ways in which things could be much less comfortable than they are. Although my experience in the position which I am very proud to hold is short, I wish to acknowledge the debt that we all owe to the noble Lord. Lord Denham, as well as to many others.
§ Lord TordoffMy Lords, in joining in wishing the whole House a happy Christmas I find that the comprehensive list of thanks has been rather more comprehensive than usual. Speaking third one is always stretched to say something slightly different. However, the one point on which I do not wish to say anything different concerns our good wishes to the Clerk of the Parliaments as he goes on his merry way to write history for us.
There is perhaps one group of people in our midst we tend to forget. Those are the noble Lords who sit on the Woolsack, including the noble and learned Lord himself, and those who sit in the Chair during Committee stages of Bills. It is an onerous task, and I am sure that it can be terribly boring at times. To see one or two of the Committee chairmen rattling through government amendments at the end of a 971 Committee stage is a sight to behold. We are very grateful to them for the work they put in in making sure that the business of the House runs smoothly.
We have had a somewhat mixed year. We have left undone one thing that we normally do: this year nobody has asked about the sex of the pelicans in St. James's Park. Doubtless the other standard question, which comes up just before Easter, about fixing the date for Easter will be put by my noble friend Lord Airedale. I am sorry that we have missed the pelicans this year. Doubtless the omission will be remedied later.
In wishing everybody a happy Christmas perhaps we should bear in mind that when we come back in the new year we face difficult times. Therefore, at this time of celebration of the birth of the Prince of Peace we should not forget that we look forward to a peaceful 1991. I wish you all a happy Christmas and a very good new year.
§ Baroness Hylton-FosterMy Lords, those sitting on the Cross-Benches would also like to join in the thanks to everybody who works in the House of Lords, whether we see them or whether we do not. They are all part of the team which looks after us so well.
We should like to add our special thanks to those that have already been expressed to the Clerk of the Parliaments and the noble Lord the leader of the House. We should especially like to thank all those who have been concerned and still are concerned with the move of the Cross-Bench Peers into their new room. We are very grateful to them all.
We wish everybody an enjoyable Christmas and a happy new year.
House adjourned for the Christmas Recess at two minutes past three o'clock until Monday, 14th January next.