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Women

My Lords, I thank everyone who has participated in what has now become an annual debate in relation to International Women’s Day. The debate has been excellent. Sometimes our male colleagues come to listen to the debate and afterwards they say to me, ““That was very good””, but I wish that they would take part. I say to my noble friend Lord Giddens that he was a wonderful ““odd man out””. I also express my appreciation to my noble friend Lady Hollis. I am so pleased that she feels fit enough to be able to participate in the debate. Her contribution was so important. I also thank my noble friend the Lord President for her very supportive and invigorating response to the many diverse issues that have been raised. She was so right to remind us that we are part of a global sisterhood. We have to concentrate not just on our own problems and on things that we need, but on those of our sisters throughout the world. I beg leave to withdraw the Motion for Papers. Motion for Papers, by leave, withdrawn.