It is a bit daunting for any Minister to be told that nothing they could say could possibly change a noble Lord’s mind or make any impression on it whatever, but I shall try.

It is a bit daunting for any Minister to be told that nothing they could say could possibly change a noble Lord’s mind or make any impression on it whatever, but I shall try.

Again, let me offer some assurances. It is up to local authorities. There is no reason why they should change their constitution at all; they will not be required to. The powers that cover road charging are essentially inherited. There is no way that the combined authorities will introduce congestion...

Again, let me offer some assurances. It is up to local authorities. There is no reason why they should change their constitution at all; they will not be required to. The powers that cover road charging are essentially inherited. There is no way that the combined authorities will introduce congestion...

I will have a go. I am grateful to my noble friend for his encouragement. The noble Lord raises a very important point, and I am happy to try to reassure him and to ensure that the Committee knows that both parts of the Bill are not merely compatible but...

I will have a go. I am grateful to my noble friend for his encouragement. The noble Lord raises a very important point, and I am happy to try to reassure him and to ensure that the Committee knows that both parts of the Bill are not merely compatible but...

I can reassure the noble Lord about that. It definitely could happen because only part of the function relating to housing could be taken away. If those local authorities forming an EPB thought it relevant and important, there is no reason at all why the housing authorities should not retain...

I can reassure the noble Lord about that. It definitely could happen because only part of the function relating to housing could be taken away. If those local authorities forming an EPB thought it relevant and important, there is no reason at all why the housing authorities should not retain...

I hope noble Lords will not have withdrawal symptoms after today, since I sincerely hope we will finish this afternoon. I am grateful for the amendments in this group because they allow me to clarify issues that have been raised and to reassure noble Lords. The amendments tabled by the...

I hope noble Lords will not have withdrawal symptoms after today, since I sincerely hope we will finish this afternoon. I am grateful for the amendments in this group because they allow me to clarify issues that have been raised and to reassure noble Lords. The amendments tabled by the...

I hope that I can put the noble Lord’s mind at rest in response to his concerns. We have reached Clause 116 and there is a sort of warmth creeping around the Committee. We are not now accused of doing damage, so there is a conditional welcome. Terrific. MMAs are...

I hope that I can put the noble Lord’s mind at rest in response to his concerns. We have reached Clause 116 and there is a sort of warmth creeping around the Committee. We are not now accused of doing damage, so there is a conditional welcome. Terrific. MMAs are...

I am happy to have this opportunity to put the noble Lord’s mind at rest about the issues he raised about ITAs and the notion of the combined authorities. He clearly intends his amendment to probe the Government on this matter because its effect would be to prevent combined authorities...

I am happy to have this opportunity to put the noble Lord’s mind at rest about the issues he raised about ITAs and the notion of the combined authorities. He clearly intends his amendment to probe the Government on this matter because its effect would be to prevent combined authorities...

Noble Lords have been extremely generous, and I will certainly pass on the thanks of both noble Lords for the exceptional work of the policy officials and the lawyers. Noble Lords will appreciate that it was quite a challenge to look at the legislation and to make sense of it...

Noble Lords have been extremely generous, and I will certainly pass on the thanks of both noble Lords for the exceptional work of the policy officials and the lawyers. Noble Lords will appreciate that it was quite a challenge to look at the legislation and to make sense of it...

I shall reply to that point. My excursion into socialism and/or Methodism is prompted by the fact that I feel demob happy because my noble friend Lord Brett is taking the next three groups of amendments to the last part of the Bill. I am glad that he is doing...

I shall reply to that point. My excursion into socialism and/or Methodism is prompted by the fact that I feel demob happy because my noble friend Lord Brett is taking the next three groups of amendments to the last part of the Bill. I am glad that he is doing...

My Lords, we took another amendment before turning to the Statement because we thought that we had better ensure that the Prime Minister was not on his feet. We thought that we had a short technical amendment. I shall answer the noble Baroness as briefly and as concisely as possible....

My Lords, we took another amendment before turning to the Statement because we thought that we had better ensure that the Prime Minister was not on his feet. We thought that we had a short technical amendment. I shall answer the noble Baroness as briefly and as concisely as possible....

moved Amendment No. 3: 3: Clause 38, page 22, line 5, leave out paragraph (b) On Question, amendment agreed to. Clause 40 [Resolution for elections by thirds: requirements]:

moved Amendment No. 3: 3: Clause 38, page 22, line 5, leave out paragraph (b) On Question, amendment agreed to. Clause 40 [Resolution for elections by thirds: requirements]:

My Lords, I am grateful for the support of the noble Baroness, Lady Hamwee, because I shall have to say some of the things that I have said at previous stages. However, I shall also try to make it clear that the amendment would have very serious effects, along the...

My Lords, I am grateful for the support of the noble Baroness, Lady Hamwee, because I shall have to say some of the things that I have said at previous stages. However, I shall also try to make it clear that the amendment would have very serious effects, along the...

My Lords, in the course of debates in both Houses one sometimes wishes one could have been as clear at the beginning of the process as one is at the end. I hope that we are all now clear. I ask the noble Baroness to withdraw the amendment.

My Lords, in the course of debates in both Houses one sometimes wishes one could have been as clear at the beginning of the process as one is at the end. I hope that we are all now clear. I ask the noble Baroness to withdraw the amendment.

moved Amendment No. 2: 2: Clause 33, page 19, line 37, leave out paragraph (b) The noble Baroness said: My Lords, this group of amendments tidies up the Bill following your Lordships’ decision to remove the elected executive model from the Bill. We are of course disappointed that noble Lords...

moved Amendment No. 2: 2: Clause 33, page 19, line 37, leave out paragraph (b) The noble Baroness said: My Lords, this group of amendments tidies up the Bill following your Lordships’ decision to remove the elected executive model from the Bill. We are of course disappointed that noble Lords...

moved Amendment No. 4: 4: Clause 40, page 22, line 38, leave out paragraph (b) On Question, amendment agreed to.

moved Amendment No. 4: 4: Clause 40, page 22, line 38, leave out paragraph (b) On Question, amendment agreed to.

Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Bill. Lords third reading debate. Part 1 of 2 records.

Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Bill. Lords third reading debate. Part 1 of 2 records.

Greater London Authority Bill. Commons reasons considered. Commons reasons for disagreeing to Lords amendments agreed to.

Greater London Authority Bill. Commons reasons considered. Commons reasons for disagreeing to Lords amendments agreed to.

My Lords, I beg to move that the House do not insist on its Amendment No. 1 to which the Commons have disagreed for their reason numbered 1A. It was the overwhelming view of the other place that it would be wrong to impose term limits on the office of...

My Lords, I beg to move that the House do not insist on its Amendment No. 1 to which the Commons have disagreed for their reason numbered 1A. It was the overwhelming view of the other place that it would be wrong to impose term limits on the office of...

My Lords, I beg to move Motion B, That this House do not insist on its Amendment No. 2 to which the Commons have disagreed for their reason numbered 2A. The other place again made clear its strong opposition to this amendment. It cuts across the fundamental principle of the...

My Lords, I beg to move Motion B, That this House do not insist on its Amendment No. 2 to which the Commons have disagreed for their reason numbered 2A. The other place again made clear its strong opposition to this amendment. It cuts across the fundamental principle of the...

My Lords, I beg to move that the Commons reasons be now considered. Moved accordingly, and, on Question, Motion agreed to. [The page and line references are to HL Bill 46, the Bill as first printed for the Lords.] 1: Before Clause 3, insert the following new Clause- ““Mayor: limit...

My Lords, I beg to move that the Commons reasons be now considered. Moved accordingly, and, on Question, Motion agreed to. [The page and line references are to HL Bill 46, the Bill as first printed for the Lords.] 1: Before Clause 3, insert the following new Clause- ““Mayor: limit...