5th Day of Queen's Speech Debate

Lord Wallace of Tankerness was introduced. Baroness Taylor of Bolton answered a question on insurance premiums for members of the armed forces. West Papua, a part of malaysia was the subject of a question answere by Lord Malloch Brown. A question about British Government 'goldplating' EU directives was asked by Lord Higgins and answered by Lord Malloch Brown. The final question was about the retention of records of old criminal convictions. Lord West of spithead answered this one.

There were a number of motions relating to the membership of committees. As is usual all but one of these were agreed to immediately. However the motion to appoint members of the European Union Committee faced an amendment from Lord Pearson of Rannoch to reconsider. A twenty minute debate followed at which many of the best known europhobes in the House spoke. Lord Richard, himself a former European Commissioner, was outraged at Lord Pearson's remarks, saying

"My Lords, for 17 years now I have listened to the noble Lord, Lord Pearson, on Europe. He does not say things that are novel. He occasionally says things that are interesting. He very often says things that are quite breathtaking. I am bound to say that what he has done today seems to be firmly in the last category; indeed, it is so breathtaking that it is difficult to produce moderate language with which to oppose it.

The noble Lord seems to assume that the Committee of Selection has deliberately—that is the implication—put on this committee people whose general views are Europhiliac rather than Europhobic. That is a terrible thing to say. The Committee of Selection and its personalities were approved by this House and it includes distinguished Members of your Lordships’ House. The idea that they somehow would connive in order to produce a committee on the European Union that was somehow in the interests of the government side rather than the opposition side of the House—if that is the position of the Opposition—is incredible. I say with great respect to the noble Lord, Lord Pearson, that he should withdraw his amendment and perhaps apologise to the House for having slighted it."

The debate on the Address resumed - the subjects being housing, planning, transport, agriculture and climate change. Baroness Andrew introduced the debate and Lord Rooker replied to the speeches made during the course of the afternoon and evening. The debate was interupted for Lord West to repeat a statement made in the Commons on the Security Industry Authority. A private bill, the 'London Local Authorities and Transport for London Bill' was brought from the Commons.

The House adjourned at 9.55pm