§ The Lord Chancellor (Lord Irvine of Lairg)My Lords, before Business begins, I take the opportunity to inform the House that I am to undertake a programme of official engagements in Birmingham on Friday 7th December, when the House will sit. These will include launching a community legal service partnership and then a new mediation scheme in Birmingham, as well as meeting the local judiciary. Accordingly, I trust that the House will grant me leave of absence.