To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the Wilson Doctrine prohibits surveillance of Members of either House of Parliament which is authorised by (a) a general certificate rather than a warrant, (b) the police using powers in Part III of the Police Act 1997, (c) the automatic number plate recognition database,...

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the Wilson Doctrine prohibits surveillance of Members of either House of Parliament which is authorised by (a) a general certificate rather than a warrant, (b) the police using powers in Part III of the Police Act 1997, (c) the automatic number plate recognition database,...

My Lords, I should like to make a personal statement. Before the defence debate last Friday, I am afraid that I forgot to declare an interest. I am the non-executive chairman of a private security company.

My Lords, I should like to make a personal statement. Before the defence debate last Friday, I am afraid that I forgot to declare an interest. I am the non-executive chairman of a private security company.

Lords personal statement on the failure to declare an interest as the non-executive chairman of a private security company during a defence debate.

Lords personal statement on the failure to declare an interest as the non-executive chairman of a private security company during a defence debate.

My Lords, I regret that I have to inform the House of the death last night of Lord Steinberg. On behalf of the House, I extend our condolences to his family and friends.

My Lords, I regret that I have to inform the House of the death last night of Lord Steinberg. On behalf of the House, I extend our condolences to his family and friends.

Lords announcement of the death of Lord Steinberg on 2 November 2009.

Lords announcement of the death of Lord Steinberg on 2 November 2009.

That was 12 years ago. At the time, what was the proper way for people to raise that issue and say that the situation was either ineffective or improper, or both?

That was 12 years ago. At the time, what was the proper way for people to raise that issue and say that the situation was either ineffective or improper, or both?

The assurance that I can give hon. Members is that the same right of access to complaints procedures will be available to GCHQ staff as to staff of the other agencies. I understand that GCHQ staff were consulted about that and raised no objections.

The assurance that I can give hon. Members is that the same right of access to complaints procedures will be available to GCHQ staff as to staff of the other agencies. I understand that GCHQ staff were consulted about that and raised no objections.

When we considered the devolution Bills at the start of the Government's time in office—

When we considered the devolution Bills at the start of the Government's time in office—

I rise briefly to support my hon. and learned Friend the Member for Beaconsfield (Mr. Grieve), the hon. Member for Somerton and Frome (Mr. Heath) and my right hon. and learned Friend the Member for Sleaford and North Hykeham (Mr. Hogg). As the years have gone by, I have wondered...

I rise briefly to support my hon. and learned Friend the Member for Beaconsfield (Mr. Grieve), the hon. Member for Somerton and Frome (Mr. Heath) and my right hon. and learned Friend the Member for Sleaford and North Hykeham (Mr. Hogg). As the years have gone by, I have wondered...

Does my right hon. and learned Friend also agree that the merit of not having knives is that, as the days progress, it might become apparent that there is insufficient time to consider the business within the Government's timetable? We could therefore make powerful representations that we needed extra days...

Does my right hon. and learned Friend also agree that the merit of not having knives is that, as the days progress, it might become apparent that there is insufficient time to consider the business within the Government's timetable? We could therefore make powerful representations that we needed extra days...

Irrespective of whether or not the Bill is modest in itself, does the hon. Gentleman agree that it is a vehicle to which this House and its Members can add very substantially, if that is what this House wants?

Irrespective of whether or not the Bill is modest in itself, does the hon. Gentleman agree that it is a vehicle to which this House and its Members can add very substantially, if that is what this House wants?

The right hon. and learned Gentleman will also be aware that there is a very high expectation of a statement tomorrow—the second day in Committee—so we will lose yet more time. That is again something that could not have been factored in when the programme motion was first considered.

The right hon. and learned Gentleman will also be aware that there is a very high expectation of a statement tomorrow—the second day in Committee—so we will lose yet more time. That is again something that could not have been factored in when the programme motion was first considered.

Awful!

Awful!

I absolutely agree, and the hon. Gentleman is another veteran of these debates. My point is that the House as a whole has important amendments to debate, in connection with what is a constitutional Bill. In the past, the Government have accepted the principle that we should have the time...

I absolutely agree, and the hon. Gentleman is another veteran of these debates. My point is that the House as a whole has important amendments to debate, in connection with what is a constitutional Bill. In the past, the Government have accepted the principle that we should have the time...

With permission, Madam Deputy Speaker, may I say that I understand the concerns of the House? I could be forgiven for thinking that there was general approbation for devoting four days to this Bill, as on 20 October—just two weeks ago—the House agreed that proposal without Division. Not even the...

With permission, Madam Deputy Speaker, may I say that I understand the concerns of the House? I could be forgiven for thinking that there was general approbation for devoting four days to this Bill, as on 20 October—just two weeks ago—the House agreed that proposal without Division. Not even the...

Well, there were arguments about the quality of the Bills, but the Government accepted the principle that they would agree programme motions with the Opposition, and allow the Opposition the time that they asked for to debate the Bills. My right hon. and learned Friend the Member for Sleaford and...

Well, there were arguments about the quality of the Bills, but the Government accepted the principle that they would agree programme motions with the Opposition, and allow the Opposition the time that they asked for to debate the Bills. My right hon. and learned Friend the Member for Sleaford and...

The four days may be sufficient—I do not think that they will be, but they may—but the point is that they can be extended by means of a further programme motion in the future. What cannot be extended are the knives that the Secretary of State is trying to insert...

The four days may be sufficient—I do not think that they will be, but they may—but the point is that they can be extended by means of a further programme motion in the future. What cannot be extended are the knives that the Secretary of State is trying to insert...

indicated assent.

indicated assent.

Although the hon. Gentleman and I may differ on whether the reforms that he seeks to the role of the Attorney-General are right, it is perfectly clear that they should be debated during our consideration of this Bill—there is no reason why they should not be. It is clearly in...

Although the hon. Gentleman and I may differ on whether the reforms that he seeks to the role of the Attorney-General are right, it is perfectly clear that they should be debated during our consideration of this Bill—there is no reason why they should not be. It is clearly in...

Of course it should. Let me conclude by saying that if one wanted the clearest possible advertisement for the virtues of a proper business committee, where these matters are discussed in advance between the parties, including Back-Bench Members on both sides of the House, and where we can identify those...

Of course it should. Let me conclude by saying that if one wanted the clearest possible advertisement for the virtues of a proper business committee, where these matters are discussed in advance between the parties, including Back-Bench Members on both sides of the House, and where we can identify those...