§ The Lord Chancellor (Lord Irvine of Lairg)My Lords, before business begins, I take the opportunity to inform the House that tomorrow I am to attend a luncheon in the Guildhall in honour of the centennial year of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, when the House will sit.
Further, I am to represent the Prime Minister at the memorial service for the late right reverend Lord Coggan in Winchester Cathedral on Friday, 30th June, when the House will sit. Accordingly, I trust that the House will grant me leave of absence.