§ 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 am to visit Egypt on official business at the invitation of the Minister of Justice and to sign the Prisoner Transfer Agreement between the dates of Monday, 29th November and Friday, 3rd December.
Accordingly, I trust that the House will agree to grant me leave of absence from Monday 29th November to Thursday 2nd December.