Let me begin by echoing the hon. Gentleman’s words about Denis Healey and Geoffrey Howe. They were two towering figures in the House, and they made a massive contribution to the national life of the country. They will be sorely missed by their families, their former colleagues, and all parliamentarians.

Let...

Let me begin by echoing the hon. Gentleman’s words about Denis Healey and Geoffrey Howe. They were two towering figures in the House, and they made a massive contribution to the national life of the country. They will be sorely missed by their families, their former colleagues, and all parliamentarians.

Let...

We should first pay tribute to two great men who have died since the last business questions: Denis Healey, the greatest Prime Minister this country never had, a man who showed that politicians need never be automata; and Geoffrey Howe, a man I had the great honour to know closely...

We should first pay tribute to two great men who have died since the last business questions: Denis Healey, the greatest Prime Minister this country never had, a man who showed that politicians need never be automata; and Geoffrey Howe, a man I had the great honour to know closely...

I can think of many better uses of the hon. Gentleman’s time than reading that book. I managed to procure a free copy, and in order not to give anyone royalties, I will gladly lend him a copy, if that is what he would like. I think he will remember that, in this House, Labour and the Conservatives agreed to legislate so that non-doms could not sit in either House—legislation I fully supported, indeed suggested, at the time.

I can think of many better uses of the hon. Gentleman’s time than reading that book. I managed to procure a free copy, and in order not to give anyone royalties, I will gladly lend him a copy, if that is what he would like. I think he will remember that, in this House, Labour and the Conservatives agreed to legislate so that non-doms could not sit in either House—legislation I fully supported, indeed suggested, at the time.

Q9

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Kevin Brennan (Cardiff West) (Lab):

Can the Prime Minister help to clear up something for the House and the country? It concerns the recent biography of him by Isabel Oakeshott. In it, Lord Ashcroft says that he told the Prime Minister about his non-dom tax status in 2009; yet, in 2010, the Prime Minister said that he did not know the detail of Lord Ashcroft’s tax status. Clearly, someone is telling porkies. Is it him, or Lord Ashcroft?

Q9

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Kevin Brennan (Cardiff West) (Lab):

Can the Prime Minister help to clear up something for the House and the country? It concerns the recent biography of him by Isabel Oakeshott. In it, Lord Ashcroft says that he told the Prime Minister about his non-dom tax status in 2009; yet, in 2010, the Prime Minister said that he did not know the detail of Lord Ashcroft’s tax status. Clearly, someone is telling porkies. Is it him, or Lord Ashcroft?

My Lords, I should also like to notify the House of the retirements with effect from 27 March of the noble and learned Lord, Lord Lloyd of Berwick, and the noble Lord, Lord Nickson; with effect from 30 March of the noble Lord, Lord Joffe; with effect from 31 March...

My Lords, I should also like to notify the House of the retirements with effect from 27 March of the noble and learned Lord, Lord Lloyd of Berwick, and the noble Lord, Lord Nickson; with effect from 30 March of the noble Lord, Lord Joffe; with effect from 31 March...

Lords announcement of the retirements of Lord Lloyd of Berwick and Lord Nickson on 27 March; Lord Joffe on 30 March; Lord Shaw of Northstead and Lord Tombs on 31 March; Lord Ashcroft on 3 April; Lord Evans of Parkside on 20 April; Lord Hope of Thornes and Lord Sharman on 30 April; Viscount Tenby on 1 May; Lord Phillips of Sudbury on 7 May; Lord Sandberg on 8 May; Lord Goodhart on 15 May; Lord Sheldon on 18 May; and Lord Howe of Aberavon of 19 May 2015.

Lords announcement of the retirements of Lord Lloyd of Berwick and Lord Nickson on 27 March; Lord Joffe on 30 March; Lord Shaw of Northstead and Lord Tombs on 31 March; Lord Ashcroft on 3 April; Lord Evans of Parkside on 20 April; Lord Hope of Thornes and Lord Sharman...

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what competencies were sought when selecting an adviser to the review of British military bases in Cyprus;whether the adviser selected had any conflicts of interest or relevant experience; and how any conflicts are managed.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what competencies were sought when selecting an adviser to the review of British military bases in Cyprus;whether the adviser selected had any conflicts of interest or relevant experience; and how any conflicts are managed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether any of his officials were present at meetings attended by Lord Ashcroft and the right hon. Member for Richmond (a) between 28 March and 3 April 2007 in Belize, Brazil, the Falkland Islands, Iceland, Panama, and the Turks...

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether any of his officials were present at meetings attended by Lord Ashcroft and the right hon. Member for Richmond (a) between 28 March and 3 April 2007 in Belize, Brazil, the Falkland Islands, Iceland, Panama, and the Turks...

(2) what investigations her Department is conducting into the undertakings given by Lord Ashcroft prior to his inclusion in the list of recommendations for a peerage.

(2) what investigations her Department is conducting into the undertakings given by Lord Ashcroft prior to his inclusion in the list of recommendations for a peerage.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office (1) if she will make available to the Public Administration Select Committee all papers and other documents relating to the undertaking given by Lord Ashcroft prior to his inclusion in the list of recommendations for a peerage;

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office (1) if she will make available to the Public Administration Select Committee all papers and other documents relating to the undertaking given by Lord Ashcroft prior to his inclusion in the list of recommendations for a peerage;

(2) whether guidance was sought from HM Revenue and Customs on the interpretation of the undertaking given by Lord Ashcroft to the Political Honours Scrutiny Committee in respect of the definition of his status as a long-term resident of the UK.

(2) whether guidance was sought from HM Revenue and Customs on the interpretation of the undertaking given by Lord Ashcroft to the Political Honours Scrutiny Committee in respect of the definition of his status as a long-term resident of the UK.