My Lords, I think I am right in saying that it is approximately 25 years since I joined this House, so perhaps I have been here too long, but I do not recall any occasion when ping- pong has been done in the dinner-break hour. I sympathise with the complaint...

My Lords, I think I am right in saying that it is approximately 25 years since I joined this House, so perhaps I have been here too long, but I do not recall any occasion when ping- pong has been done in the dinner-break hour. I sympathise with the complaint...

I understand the Minister’s point about not wanting to prejudge the consultation—although on other issues, such as VAT on school fees, that did not seem to apply. What I have difficulty with is why the Government were not prepared to take a power that would enable them to act at...

I understand the Minister’s point about not wanting to prejudge the consultation—although on other issues, such as VAT on school fees, that did not seem to apply. What I have difficulty with is why the Government were not prepared to take a power that would enable them to act at...

My Lords, I propose to be brief because the noble Baroness, Lady Kidron, in a formidable speech, has set out all the issues. Still, I will make a couple of points.

The first is that I do not like protracted ping-pong. I think it is constitutionally not great. When it happened...

My Lords, I propose to be brief because the noble Baroness, Lady Kidron, in a formidable speech, has set out all the issues. Still, I will make a couple of points.

The first is that I do not like protracted ping-pong. I think it is constitutionally not great. When it happened...

One of the things that I believed then and still believe now is that people have a right to a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work, that people have the right to be able to own their property and that they have the right to sell their labour...

One of the things that I believed then and still believe now is that people have a right to a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work, that people have the right to be able to own their property and that they have the right to sell their labour...

I am most grateful to the noble Baroness. Could she just deal with the point that was made by the noble Lord, Lord Rooker, and others? Why, if the Government are working and looking for a compromise, have they sent this back to the House without any proposal from the...

I am most grateful to the noble Baroness. Could she just deal with the point that was made by the noble Lord, Lord Rooker, and others? Why, if the Government are working and looking for a compromise, have they sent this back to the House without any proposal from the...

My Lords, it is a very great pleasure to support this amendment, following the excellent speech of the noble Lord, Lord Alton. He reminded us that this is not the first time we have discussed this matter. I took part in a debate with him on such an amendment back...

My Lords, it is a very great pleasure to support this amendment, following the excellent speech of the noble Lord, Lord Alton. He reminded us that this is not the first time we have discussed this matter. I took part in a debate with him on such an amendment back...

My Lords, I apologise for not being here at the start of this Committee. I had to chair the Economic Affairs Committee of the House of Lords to which the Governor of the Bank of England was giving evidence.

I support these amendments and congratulate the noble Lord, Lord Alton, on...

My Lords, I apologise for not being here at the start of this Committee. I had to chair the Economic Affairs Committee of the House of Lords to which the Governor of the Bank of England was giving evidence.

I support these amendments and congratulate the noble Lord, Lord Alton, on...

What is the ongoing cost to his Department of monitoring the current costs relating to the contract for his Department's data processing work. - Inc figures.

What is the ongoing cost to his Department of monitoring the current costs relating to the contract for his Department's data processing work. - Inc figures.

What was the cost of the market testing exercise in connection with his Department's data processing work. - Inc figure.

What was the cost of the market testing exercise in connection with his Department's data processing work. - Inc figure.

Pursuant to 254 c492W, how many people were employed at Corby on data entry operation; how many were made redundant following its acquisition by SEMA Group; and which organisation will be paying toward the redundancies. - Includes figures.

Pursuant to 254 c492W, how many people were employed at Corby on data entry operation; how many were made redundant following its acquisition by SEMA Group; and which organisation will be paying toward the redundancies. - Includes figures.

What was the cost to his Department of putting together the in house bid for his Department's data processing work. - I regret that information is not available.

What was the cost to his Department of putting together the in house bid for his Department's data processing work. - I regret that information is not available.