HL Deb 03 December 1998 vol 595 cc607-8
The Chairman of Committees

My Lords, I beg to move the second Motion standing in my name on the Order Paper.

Moved, That a Select Committee be appointed to report whether the provisions of any Bill inappropriately delegate legislative power; to report on documents laid before Parliament under Section 3(3) of the Deregulation and Contracting Out Act 1994 and on draft orders laid under Section 1(4) of that Act; and to perform, in respect of such documents and orders, the functions performed in respect of other instruments by the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments;

That, as proposed by the Committee of Selection, the following Lords be named of the Committee:

  • L. Alexander of Weedon (Chairman),
  • L. Ampthill,
  • L. Archer of Sandwell,
  • L. Dahrendorf,
  • L. Dean of Harptree,
  • L. Goodhart,
  • L. Mayhew of Twysden,
  • L. Merlyn-Rees,
  • L. Prys-Davies,
  • L. Waddington.
That the Committee have power to appoint sub-committees;

That the Committee and any sub-committee have power to adjourn from place to place within the United Kingdom;

That the Committee have power to co-opt any Lord for the purpose of serving on the Committee or a sub-committee;

That the Committee have power to appoint specialist advisers;

That the Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee or any sub-committee shall, if the Committee think fit, be printed and delivered out;

That the Committee do meet on Wednesday 9th December at half- past ten o'clock.—(The Chairman of Committees.)

Lord Elton

My Lords, I apologise for giving very short notice of my question to the noble Lord. It has caught my eye that this committee is to have power to adjourn from place to place within the United Kingdom, a facility which was never required when I was a member of it. I wonder whether this signifies a widening of its remit or whether there is some other reason why it should wish to vacate Westminster.

The Chairman of Committees

My Lords, I am grateful to the noble Lord, Lord Elton, for giving me notice of that question. This is not an unusual power to give to Select Committees of your Lordships' House. I am sure that he will understand that I would not wish to pre-empt any decisions which the committee might make if your Lordships approve this Motion today. I am sure that that committee will bear in mind the request of the noble Lord, Lord Elton, and will furnish information about the point he has raised once it has considered it.

On Question, Motion agreed to.