That the Grand Committee do report to the House that it has considered the Local Government (Structural Changes) (Miscellaneous Amendments and Other Provision) Order 2009.

That the Grand Committee do report to the House that it has considered the Local Government (Structural Changes) (Miscellaneous Amendments and Other Provision) Order 2009.

I am grateful to the Minister for setting out so comprehensively the case for the orders and explaining them in considerable detail. She has a well deserved reputation for going through the detail on these things and that is very much appreciated. We cannot miss an opportunity to mention again...

I am grateful to the Minister for setting out so comprehensively the case for the orders and explaining them in considerable detail. She has a well deserved reputation for going through the detail on these things and that is very much appreciated. We cannot miss an opportunity to mention again...

I thank the Minister for her long and detailed introduction, as the noble Lord has just said, in her usual careful fashion. I do not wish to rehearse the background or the arguments that we have had on the decisions that underlie the order; I suspect that the influx of...

I thank the Minister for her long and detailed introduction, as the noble Lord has just said, in her usual careful fashion. I do not wish to rehearse the background or the arguments that we have had on the decisions that underlie the order; I suspect that the influx of...

As Members of the Committee will know, this order is consequential on the local government structural change orders that Parliament agreed in early 2008. The order makes specific provision to ensure that various matters relevant to the new single-tier councils are dealt with before the reorganisation date. These changes are...

As Members of the Committee will know, this order is consequential on the local government structural change orders that Parliament agreed in early 2008. The order makes specific provision to ensure that various matters relevant to the new single-tier councils are dealt with before the reorganisation date. These changes are...

I, too, thank the Minister for her long explanation. I am sure that I learnt a number of things. I shall apply my comments to the Cornwall order and, in doing so, I declare an interest: there is a possibility of my being a candidate in that election. The most...

I, too, thank the Minister for her long explanation. I am sure that I learnt a number of things. I shall apply my comments to the Cornwall order and, in doing so, I declare an interest: there is a possibility of my being a candidate in that election. The most...

I am grateful for the welcome given by noble Lords opposite. I think that we would all agree that nothing is perfect in the restructuring of local government; we have empirical and historical evidence to show that. I am sorry that the noble Lord, Lord Bates, was not part of...

I am grateful for the welcome given by noble Lords opposite. I think that we would all agree that nothing is perfect in the restructuring of local government; we have empirical and historical evidence to show that. I am sorry that the noble Lord, Lord Bates, was not part of...

Draft Local Government (Structural Changes) (Miscellaneous Amendments and Other Provision) Order 2009. Lords debate on a motion to consider. Agreed to on question. Debated with draft Cornwall (Electoral Arrangements and Consequential Amendments) Order 2009. Grand Committee held in the Moses Room.

Draft Local Government (Structural Changes) (Miscellaneous Amendments and Other Provision) Order 2009. Lords debate on a motion to consider. Agreed to on question. Debated with draft Cornwall (Electoral Arrangements and Consequential Amendments) Order 2009. Grand Committee held in the Moses Room.

My Lords, I am sorry, but I did not think I could improve on what my honourable friend said in the other place. It is not just about the returning officer. I said that it was helpful to everyone involved to know where they were. I do not have to...

My Lords, I am sorry, but I did not think I could improve on what my honourable friend said in the other place. It is not just about the returning officer. I said that it was helpful to everyone involved to know where they were. I do not have to...

My Lords, I think that I detected some support for the order. My heart rose when I heard the noble Earl’s first few sentences, but it sank progressively as he listed his complaints. I shall deal with them and leave the issues regarding Cornwall to the last. Given this momentous...

My Lords, I think that I detected some support for the order. My heart rose when I heard the noble Earl’s first few sentences, but it sank progressively as he listed his complaints. I shall deal with them and leave the issues regarding Cornwall to the last. Given this momentous...

My Lords, I am very grateful to the Minister. I was wondering at what stage I should stand up and apologise for forgetting to ask her, but I should now like her to answer that.

My Lords, I am very grateful to the Minister. I was wondering at what stage I should stand up and apologise for forgetting to ask her, but I should now like her to answer that.

My Lords, I thank the Minister for delivering the order to the House in person and taking a little time off from her day job on the Planning Bill, but perhaps this is light relief. Certainly, the number of noble Lords present and the nature of this event make it...

My Lords, I thank the Minister for delivering the order to the House in person and taking a little time off from her day job on the Planning Bill, but perhaps this is light relief. Certainly, the number of noble Lords present and the nature of this event make it...

My Lords, I am delighted to speak in this debate. It seems to me to be blindingly obvious that we ought to have the two elections at the same time, although I absolutely agree with my noble friend Lord Greaves that the answer should be to put this in proper...

My Lords, I am delighted to speak in this debate. It seems to me to be blindingly obvious that we ought to have the two elections at the same time, although I absolutely agree with my noble friend Lord Greaves that the answer should be to put this in proper...

My Lords, the date for Norfolk.

My Lords, the date for Norfolk.

My Lords, I have three points, two of which relate to Article 5. I am slightly disappointed that the Minister only echoed what was said in the other place about it providing clarity for returning officers. It may provide clarity for them, but not for the poor electorate who may...

My Lords, I have three points, two of which relate to Article 5. I am slightly disappointed that the Minister only echoed what was said in the other place about it providing clarity for returning officers. It may provide clarity for them, but not for the poor electorate who may...

Yes, my Lords, I can confirm that. On Question, Motion agreed to.

Yes, my Lords, I can confirm that. On Question, Motion agreed to.

rose to move, That the draft order laid before the House on 7 October be approved. The noble Baroness said: My Lords, we are today considering the draft of an order to move the date of the local government elections in England in 2009 from Thursday 7 May to the...

rose to move, That the draft order laid before the House on 7 October be approved. The noble Baroness said: My Lords, we are today considering the draft of an order to move the date of the local government elections in England in 2009 from Thursday 7 May to the...

My Lords, I thank the Minister for explaining the order. When I was first asked to speak to the order I thought, ““That’s okay. It makes logical common sense; it is more convenient for the voters; only one visit to the polling station will be needed rather than two in...

My Lords, I thank the Minister for explaining the order. When I was first asked to speak to the order I thought, ““That’s okay. It makes logical common sense; it is more convenient for the voters; only one visit to the polling station will be needed rather than two in...

My Lords, as I have a very fine answer on that, I shall not be denied the opportunity to read it. The noble Lord was going to ask what the arrangements would be for the returning officer for European elections in the new unitary councils. It is a very good...

My Lords, as I have a very fine answer on that, I shall not be denied the opportunity to read it. The noble Lord was going to ask what the arrangements would be for the returning officer for European elections in the new unitary councils. It is a very good...

Draft Local Elections (Ordinary Day of Elections in 2009) Order 2008. Lords debate on a motion to approve. Agreed to on question.

Draft Local Elections (Ordinary Day of Elections in 2009) Order 2008. Lords debate on a motion to approve. Agreed to on question.

Letter dated 14.02.2006 from Anthony Holland to Lord Greaves regarding the delayed conclusion of investigation into five Liberal Democrat councillors at the London Borough of Islington.

Letter dated 14.02.2006 from Anthony Holland to Lord Greaves regarding the delayed conclusion of investigation into five Liberal Democrat councillors at the London Borough of Islington.