HL Deb 15 December 2004 vol 667 cc1333-4
Baroness Amos

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

Moved, That Standing Order 47 (No two stages of a Bill to be taken on one day) be dispensed with to allow the Consolidated Fund Bill to be taken through its remaining stages on Thursday 16 December.—(Baroness Amos.)

Lord Taylor of Blackburn

My Lords, although I do not oppose the Motion, would my noble friend not agree that it might be good for Members from all parts of the House to read—for light reading during the Christmas Recess—the Standing Orders and the Companion to the Standing Orders?

Baroness Amos

My Lords, I totally agree with my noble friend; we could all do with a refresher course.

Lord Brooke of Alverthorpe

My Lords, perhaps my noble friend will particularly draw them to the attention of noble and learned Lords who are judges, in the light of experience on the Constitutional Reform Bill.

Baroness Amos

My Lords, I said that we could all do with a refresher course.

Lord McNally

My Lords, would the noble Baroness the Leader of the House agree to have a discussion with the usual channels about order in Questions? It does not do the House's reputation much good to sound like another place during Questions. On the other hand, if the Order Paper is to be littered with Questions that allow the questioner to read out a long list of government triumphs with a Minister then reading out another list of government triumphs, between now and the general election the patience and good order of this House will be tried a great deal. We all have to learn. I make no criticisms of what happened earlier; we have all made mistakes in this House.

Noble Lords

Too long!

Lord McNally

I am still learning, my Lords. In the most friendly way, I say that the usual channels need to look at the matter and restore some good order.

Baroness Amos

My Lords, I agree. The issue affects all Members of the House. I also think that the House is sometimes a little unforgiving of our new Members; the House should consider that.

On Question, Motion agreed to.