This House of Lords Library briefing covers the maiden and valedictory speeches made during the last two sessions of parliament. The first and last speeches made by a member of the House of Lords are significant occasions and, by tradition, are marked with respect by the House.

This House of Lords Library briefing covers the maiden and valedictory speeches made during the last two sessions of parliament. The first and last speeches made by a member of the House of Lords are significant occasions and, by tradition, are marked with respect by the House.

Lords announcement on the timing of peers retiring from the House and valedictory speeches, and on allowing Lord Soley to make a valedictory speech despite having retired from the House.

Lords announcement on the timing of peers retiring from the House and valedictory speeches, and on allowing Lord Soley to make a valedictory speech despite having retired from the House.

My Lords, Lord Soley retired from the House today. He served this House for 17 years and, prior to that, had a distinguished career in the House of Commons for more than two decades. He always intended to make his valedictory speech in the debate in the name of my...

My Lords, Lord Soley retired from the House today. He served this House for 17 years and, prior to that, had a distinguished career in the House of Commons for more than two decades. He always intended to make his valedictory speech in the debate in the name of my...

My Lords, I thank the noble Lord the Lord Privy Seal and the Government Chief Whip for their intervention in this matter. I am grateful for the noble Lord’s comments about Lord Soley, who has been a highly regarded, well-respected and much-loved Member of this House, and we wish to...

My Lords, I thank the noble Lord the Lord Privy Seal and the Government Chief Whip for their intervention in this matter. I am grateful for the noble Lord’s comments about Lord Soley, who has been a highly regarded, well-respected and much-loved Member of this House, and we wish to...

This House of Lords Library briefing covers the maiden and valedictory speeches made during the course of the first two sessions of the current parliament. The first and last speeches made by a Member of the House of Lords are significant occasions and, by tradition, are marked with respect by the House.

This House of Lords Library briefing covers the maiden and valedictory speeches made during the course of the first two sessions of the current parliament. The first and last speeches made by a Member of the House of Lords are significant occasions and, by tradition, are marked with respect by...

This House of Lords Library briefing covers the maiden and valedictory speeches made during the course of the 2017--2019 parliament. The first and last speeches made by a Member of the House of Lords are significant occasions and, by tradition, are marked with respect by the House.

This House of Lords Library briefing covers the maiden and valedictory speeches made during the course of the 2017--2019 parliament. The first and last speeches made by a Member of the House of Lords are significant occasions and, by tradition, are marked with respect by the House.

This House of Lords Library briefing covers the maiden and valedictory speeches made during the course of the 2015-2017 parliament. The first and last speeches made by a Member of the House of Lords are significant occasions and, by tradition, are marked with respect by the House.

This House of Lords Library briefing covers the maiden and valedictory speeches made during the course of the 2015-2017 parliament. The first and last speeches made by a Member of the House of Lords are significant occasions and, by tradition, are marked with respect by the House.

The first and last speeches made by a Member of the House of Lords are significant occasions and, by tradition, are marked with respect by the House.

The first and last speeches made by a Member of the House of Lords are significant occasions and, by tradition, are marked with respect by the House.

My right hon. Friend has announced a valedictory debate on Thursday 26 March. Will he do me and others who hope to catch your eye in that debate, Mr Speaker, the honour of responding to it?

My right hon. Friend has announced a valedictory debate on Thursday 26 March. Will he do me and others who hope to catch your eye in that debate, Mr Speaker, the honour of responding to it?

Yes, it is my intention to give a valedictory response to the valedictory debate at the final valedictory moment of the Parliament. By the end of that, I think we will all be pretty confident we have said goodbye to each other.

Yes, it is my intention to give a valedictory response to the valedictory debate at the final valedictory moment of the Parliament. By the end of that, I think we will all be pretty confident we have said goodbye to each other.

Lords motion to agree the third report from the Procedure Select Committee on House of Lords Reform Act 2014: Further Consequential Changes; Questions for Short Debate; Queen's and Prince of Wales' Consents (HL 50). Agreed to on question.

Lords motion to agree the third report from the Procedure Select Committee on House of Lords Reform Act 2014: Further Consequential Changes; Questions for Short Debate; Queen's and Prince of Wales' Consents (HL 50). Agreed to on question.

My Lords, I shall speak also to the Motion to amend Standing Orders.

The report makes five recommendations. The first three are consequential on the House of Lords Reform Act 2014. The first recommendation is that Members who have given written notice that they will retire from the House under Section...

My Lords, I shall speak also to the Motion to amend Standing Orders.

The report makes five recommendations. The first three are consequential on the House of Lords Reform Act 2014. The first recommendation is that Members who have given written notice that they will retire from the House under Section...

My Lords, I am grateful to the Chairman of Committees for his comments. I have a question for him on the consent to Bill of the Queen and the Prince of Wales, which is referred to in items 12 and 13 in the Procedure Committee’s report.

He will be aware, I...

My Lords, I am grateful to the Chairman of Committees for his comments. I have a question for him on the consent to Bill of the Queen and the Prince of Wales, which is referred to in items 12 and 13 in the Procedure Committee’s report.

He will be aware, I...

I have a couple of questions for the Chairman of Committees about the sections of the report dealing with retirement. The proposals he has brought to the House are, I am sure, acceptable. However, they are a bit of a mouse, because the Act, for which I had some responsibility,...

I have a couple of questions for the Chairman of Committees about the sections of the report dealing with retirement. The proposals he has brought to the House are, I am sure, acceptable. However, they are a bit of a mouse, because the Act, for which I had some responsibility,...

My Lords, as regards the comments of the noble Lord, Lord Steel, as the Chairman of Committees will know, the current Government have enunciated a new rule, if you like, that the proportion and number of Members of your Lordships’ House should bear direct comparison with the votes cast at...

My Lords, as regards the comments of the noble Lord, Lord Steel, as the Chairman of Committees will know, the current Government have enunciated a new rule, if you like, that the proportion and number of Members of your Lordships’ House should bear direct comparison with the votes cast at...

I should like to make two points. First, I do not agree with my noble friend Lord Steel about financial inducement to retirement. That would be a very bad precedent and I hope that it will not happen. Secondly, what are the detailed arrangements for giving Royal Assent to Bills?...

I should like to make two points. First, I do not agree with my noble friend Lord Steel about financial inducement to retirement. That would be a very bad precedent and I hope that it will not happen. Secondly, what are the detailed arrangements for giving Royal Assent to Bills?...

Let me try to deal with the issues in some sort of order. I am involved in so many committees that sometimes even I get a bit confused about which committee is considering what. First, on retirement, I am not aware of any committee actively considering any retirement scheme as...

Let me try to deal with the issues in some sort of order. I am involved in so many committees that sometimes even I get a bit confused about which committee is considering what. First, on retirement, I am not aware of any committee actively considering any retirement scheme as...