My Lords, when my noble friend was the First Minister, and slightly before that, when I was the Secretary of State, I was less of a

campaigner for this issue than he was. But I recognise that times have changed over the last few years. I am told that devolution...

My Lords, when my noble friend was the First Minister, and slightly before that, when I was the Secretary of State, I was less of a

campaigner for this issue than he was. But I recognise that times have changed over the last few years. I am told that devolution...

Who knows what will happen in the future? They used to sell tickets for the Devolution Committee, which my noble and learned friend Lord Irvine chaired in 1998. They were wonderful affairs, setting up devolution right across the country—including, later, in Northern Ireland. The committee did a great job, but...

Who knows what will happen in the future? They used to sell tickets for the Devolution Committee, which my noble and learned friend Lord Irvine chaired in 1998. They were wonderful affairs, setting up devolution right across the country—including, later, in Northern Ireland. The committee did a great job, but...

My Lords, it is a great pleasure, as always, to follow the noble Lord, Lord Wigley. I was trying to work out how long we have been in Parliament together—it is 38 years since we first spoke on Welsh matters in the House of Commons. On and off, we have...

My Lords, it is a great pleasure, as always, to follow the noble Lord, Lord Wigley. I was trying to work out how long we have been in Parliament together—it is 38 years since we first spoke on Welsh matters in the House of Commons. On and off, we have...

My Lords, I will speak to move Amendment 11 on behalf of my noble friend Lord Hain, who cannot be with us this afternoon. I was present in Committee on the Bill and listened with great interest to noble Lords discussing the issue of devolving the Crown Estate to Wales....

My Lords, I will speak to move Amendment 11 on behalf of my noble friend Lord Hain, who cannot be with us this afternoon. I was present in Committee on the Bill and listened with great interest to noble Lords discussing the issue of devolving the Crown Estate to Wales....

Moved by

Lord Murphy of Torfaen

11: After Clause 2, insert the following new Clause—

“Commissioners with special responsibility

(1) Paragraph 1 of Schedule 1 to the Crown Estate Act 1961 (constitution etc), is amended as follows.

(2) Before sub-paragraph (4) insert—

“(3B) The commissioners appointed under this paragraph must include—

(a) a commissioner responsible for giving...

Moved by

Lord Murphy of Torfaen

11: After Clause 2, insert the following new Clause—

“Commissioners with special responsibility

(1) Paragraph 1 of Schedule 1 to the Crown Estate Act 1961 (constitution etc), is amended as follows.

(2) Before sub-paragraph (4) insert—

“(3B) The commissioners appointed under this paragraph must include—

(a) a commissioner responsible for giving...

My Lords, I associate myself with the sentiments of the Minister regarding the dreadful accident in mid Wales. I also pay tribute to her in her new role and wish her well in it. It is quite an extensive role. It covers not just Wales but Northern Ireland, Scotland and...

My Lords, I associate myself with the sentiments of the Minister regarding the dreadful accident in mid Wales. I also pay tribute to her in her new role and wish her well in it. It is quite an extensive role. It covers not just Wales but Northern Ireland, Scotland and...

Lords motion that an Humble Address be presented to His Majesty welcoming the return of the devolved institutions in Northern Ireland, re-affirming the importance of upholding the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement 1998 in all its strands, acknowledging the foundational importance of the Acts of Union 1800, including the economic provisions under Article 6 of those Acts, and recognising that, consistent with section 23(1) of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, executive power in Northern Ireland shall continue to be vested in His Majesty, and that joint authority is not provided for in the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement 1998 in respect of the UK and Irish Governments. Amendment to regret debated and withdrawn. Original motion agreed to on question.

Lords motion that an Humble Address be presented to His Majesty welcoming the return of the devolved institutions in Northern Ireland, re-affirming the importance of upholding the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement 1998 in all its strands, acknowledging the foundational importance of the Acts of Union 1800, including the economic provisions...

My Lords, it is always a great pleasure to follow the noble Baroness, Lady Suttie, on occasions such as this. She, like others, made reference to Lord Patrick Cormack. I want to put on record my thanks for his friendship over the years. I knew him for approximately 34 years,...

My Lords, it is always a great pleasure to follow the noble Baroness, Lady Suttie, on occasions such as this. She, like others, made reference to Lord Patrick Cormack. I want to put on record my thanks for his friendship over the years. I knew him for approximately 34 years,...

Lords motion to approve. Agreed to on question.

Lords motion to approve. Agreed to on question.

My Lords, it has been a long night, but an important night. I hope there will be another debate in the not-too-distant future which will allow more Members of your Lordships’ House to take part on this important issue. The Opposition support the statutory instrument, as we support the deal...

My Lords, it has been a long night, but an important night. I hope there will be another debate in the not-too-distant future which will allow more Members of your Lordships’ House to take part on this important issue. The Opposition support the statutory instrument, as we support the deal...

My Lords, it was only last week that we debated the legislation deferring this decision and pondered whether we would arrive at

a settlement. The Minister was very coy but, as the result of a great deal of negotiation, we have now arrived at a considerable and significant deal. I...

My Lords, it was only last week that we debated the legislation deferring this decision and pondered whether we would arrive at

a settlement. The Minister was very coy but, as the result of a great deal of negotiation, we have now arrived at a considerable and significant deal. I...

Lords second reading. Agreed to on question. Bill committed to a Committee of the Whole House.

Lords second reading. Agreed to on question. Bill committed to a Committee of the Whole House.

My Lords, we have been here before—quite a few times. Even though that is the case, I and the Opposition support the Government in bringing the legislation forward. It will avoid an election, which I do not think anybody wants, and, because of the shortness of the period that the...

My Lords, we have been here before—quite a few times. Even though that is the case, I and the Opposition support the Government in bringing the legislation forward. It will avoid an election, which I do not think anybody wants, and, because of the shortness of the period that the...

My Lords, I cannot recall intergovernmental relations ever being mentioned when the Cabinet committee considered devolution for Scotland and Wales in 1997. Indeed, after the elections to the Parliament and the Assembly, when I, as Welsh Secretary, had to deal with the Welsh Government, relations were very good. They were...

My Lords, I cannot recall intergovernmental relations ever being mentioned when the Cabinet committee considered devolution for Scotland and Wales in 1997. Indeed, after the elections to the Parliament and the Assembly, when I, as Welsh Secretary, had to deal with the Welsh Government, relations were very good. They were...

My Lords, it has been said by nearly everybody who has taken part in this debate that we should not be having it and that this should be decided by the representatives of the people of Northern Ireland at Stormont. But we are where we are, so we clearly need...

My Lords, it has been said by nearly everybody who has taken part in this debate that we should not be having it and that this should be decided by the representatives of the people of Northern Ireland at Stormont. But we are where we are, so we clearly need...

Lords second reading. Committee negatived. Standing Order 44 having been dispensed with, Lords third reading. Bill passed.

Lords second reading. Committee negatived. Standing Order 44 having been dispensed with, Lords third reading. Bill passed.

Statement on legislative consent. Lords second reading. Agreed to on question. Committed to a Committee of the Whole House.

Statement on legislative consent. Lords second reading. Agreed to on question. Committed to a Committee of the Whole House.

My Lords, this year is of course the anniversary of the Good Friday agreement, but, tragically, it is also the anniversary of the Omagh bombing. Twenty-five years ago, it fell on me to visit that town three days after the bomb went off, and I had to talk to the...

My Lords, this year is of course the anniversary of the Good Friday agreement, but, tragically, it is also the anniversary of the Omagh bombing. Twenty-five years ago, it fell on me to visit that town three days after the bomb went off, and I had to talk to the...

My Lords, it has been a long night and a difficult debate on difficult issues. I begin by wishing the noble Lord, Lord Empey, who is not in his place, and his family all the very best in the weeks ahead. He is a very old friend: I have known...

My Lords, it has been a long night and a difficult debate on difficult issues. I begin by wishing the noble Lord, Lord Empey, who is not in his place, and his family all the very best in the weeks ahead. He is a very old friend: I have known...

Lords second reading. Amendment to regret debated and withdrawn. Another amendment to regret not moved. Original motion agreed to on question. Committee negatived. Standing Order 44 having been dispensed with, Lords third reading. Bill passed. (Part 2 of 2).

Lords second reading. Amendment to regret debated and withdrawn. Another amendment to regret not moved. Original motion agreed to on question. Committee negatived. Standing Order 44 having been dispensed with, Lords third reading. Bill passed. (Part 2 of 2).