HL Deb 06 May 1999 vol 600 cc910-2

11.53 p.m.

Lord Gilbert

My Lords, I beg to move. It was back on 5th February of last year that I moved in your Lordships' House the Visiting Forces and International Headquarters (Application of Law) (Amendment) Order 1998. I said at that time that that was an interim order which would be followed by a comprehensive order. Here is the comprehensive order.

I have a briefing document which I have not read and I have no intention of doing so. If any of your Lordships is so tactless as to ask me any questions on the order, they will receive a letter from me and consider themselves lucky.

The second order introduces absolutely no matters of substance. It is merely a tidying-up order with respect to lists of certain international headquarters covered in the previous order which this order amends. I commend the orders to the House.

Moved. That the draft orders laid before the House on 15th April be approved [15th Report from the Joint Committee.]—(Lord Gilbert.)

Lord Burnham

My Lords, from these Benches, I entirely accept everything that the noble Lord has said. Having read the order, I merely ask him whether he will join an organisation which I am thinking of founding called the SEA—the Society for the Elimination of Acronyms.

Lord Gilbert

My Lords, happily.

On Question, Motion agreed to.

House adjourned at four minutes before midnight.