House of Lords Journal 231 (Session 1997-98)

Previous Next Thursday 6 November 1997 The House met at three o’clock. The following Lords Spiritual and Temporal were present: Irvine of Lairg, L. (Lord Chancellor) Aberdare, L. Acton, L. Addington, L. Addison, V. Ailesbury, M. Ailsa, M. Aldington, L. Alexander of Tunis, E. Allen of Abbeydale, L. Allenby of Megiddo, V. Amos, B. Ampthill, L. Anelay of St. Johns, B. Annaly, L. Annan, L. Archer of Weston-Super-Mare, L. Ashbourne, L. Ashburton, L. Ashley of Stoke, L. Astor of Hever, L. Avebury, L. Baker of Dorking, L. Baldwin of Bewdley, E. Barber, L. Barnett, L. Beaumont of Whitley, L. Beaverbrook, L. Belhaven and Stenton, L. Bellwin, L. Beloff, L. Belstead, L. Berkeley, L. Bethell, L. Biddulph, L. Birdwood, L. Blackstone, B. Blaker, L. Blatch, B. Bledisloe, V. Blyth, L. Boardman, L. Borrie, L. Boston of Faversham, L. Bowness, L. Boyd-Carpenter, L. Brabazon of Tara, L. Bramall, L. Brentford, V. Bridgeman, V. Bridges, L. Brightman, L. Brooks of Tremorfa, L. Brougham and Vaux, L. Broughshane, L. Bruce of Donington, L. Bruntisfield, L. Buckinghamshire, E. Page 309 1997-98 Volume 231       Burlison, L. Burnham, L. Butterworth, L. Cadman, L. Calverley, L. Campbell of Alloway, L. Campbell of Croy, L. Carlisle, E. Carmichael of Kelvingrove, L. Carnegy of Lour, B. Carnock, L. Carr of Hadley, L. Carter, L. Chalfont, L. Chalker of Wallasey, B. Chesham, L. Chichester, Bp. Chorley, L. Clancarty, E. Clanwilliam, E. Clark of Kempston, L. Cledwyn of Penrhos, L. Clinton-Davis, L. Cockfield, L. Cocks of Hartcliffe, L. Coleraine, L. Colwyn, L. Cope of Berkeley, L. Courtown, E. Craig of Radley, L. Craigavon, V. Cranborne, V. Cranbrook, E. Crathorne, L. Crickhowell, L. Cross, V. Cullen of Ashbourne, L. Cumberlege, B. Currie of Marylebone, L. Dahrendorf, L. David, B. Davidson, V. Davies of Coity, L. Davies of Oldham, L. Dean of Beswick, L. Dean of Harptree, L. Dean of Thornton-le-Fylde, B. Denbigh, E. Denham, L. Denton of Wakefield, B. Desai, L. Dholakia, L. Diamond, L. Digby, L. Dilhorne, V. Dormand of Easington, L. Downshire, M. Drogheda, E. Dudley, E. Dunrossil, V. Eccles of Moulton, B. Effingham, E. Elibank, L. Elis-Thomas, L. Ellenborough, L. Elles, B. Elliott of Morpeth, L. Erne, E. Erroll, E. Evans of Parkside, L. Ewing of Kirkford, L. Ezra, L. Falconer of Thoroton, L. Falkland, V. Farrington of Ribbleton, B. Fisher of Rednal, B. Flather, B. Flowers, L. Fookes, B. Fraser of Carmyllie, L. Freeman, L. Freyberg, L. Gainford, L. Gallacher, L. Garel-Jones, L. Geraint, L. Gilbert, L. Gisborough, L. Gladwyn, L. Glenarthur, L. Gormanston, V. Goschen, V. Graham of Edmonton, L. Gray of Contin, L. Greenway, L. Gregson, L. Hailsham of Saint Marylebone, L. Halsbury, E. Hanworth, V. Harding of Petherton, L. Hardwicke, E. Hardy of Wath, L. Harmar-Nicholls, L. Harris of Greenwich, L. Haskel, L. Haslam, L. Hayhoe, L. Hayter, L. Henderson of Brompton, L. Henley, L. Hilton of Eggardon, B. Hindlip, L. Hogg of Cumbernauld, L. Holderness, L. HolmPatrick, L. Hooper, B. Hooson, L. Howe, E. Howell, L. Hoyle, L. Hughes, L. Hughes of Woodside, L. Hunt of Kings Heath, L. Hussey of North Bradley, L. Hutton, L. Hylton, L. Hylton-Foster, B. Ilchester, E. Inchcape, E. Inge, L. Inglewood, L. Ironside, L. Janner of Braunstone, L. Jay of Paddington, B. Jeger, B. Jellicoe, E. Jenkin of Roding, L. Jenkins of Hillhead, L. Jenkins of Putney, L. Johnston of Rockport, L. Jopling, L. Judd, L. Kelvedon, L. Kenilworth, L. Kilbracken, L. Kilmarnock, L. Kimball, L. Kingsland, L. Kinloss, Ly. Kinnoull, E. Kintore, E. Knollys, V. Lane of Horsell, L. Lang of Monkton, L. Lauderdale, E. Lawson of Blaby, L. Layton, L. Leathers, V. Leicester, Bp. Leigh, L. Lichfield, Bp. Lincoln, Bp. Lindsay, E. Lindsey and Abingdon, E. Liverpool, E. Lockwood, B. Long, V. Longford, E. Lucas, L. Lucas of Chilworth, L. Ludford, B. Luke, L. Lyell, L. Lytton, E. McColl of Dulwich, L. McIntosh of Haringey, L. Mackay of Ardbrecknish, L. Macleod of Borve, B. McNair, L. McNally, L. Mallalieu, B. Mar, C. Mar and Kellie, E. Marlborough, D. Marlesford, L. Masham of Ilton, B. Massereene and Ferrard, V. Merlyn-Rees, L. Mersey, V. Meston, L. Miller of Hendon, B. Milner of Leeds, L. Milverton, L. Mishcon, L. Molloy, L. Molyneaux of Killead, L. Monkswell, L. Monson, L. Montagu of Beaulieu, L. Moran, L. Morris of Castle Morris, L. Morris of Manchester, L. Mottistone, L. Mountevans, L. Mowbray and Stourton, L. Moynihan, L. Munster, E. Page 310 1997-98 Volume 231 Back to top Murton of Lindisfarne, L. Napier and Ettrick, L. Napier of Magdâla, L. Nathan, L. Nelson, E. Newall, L. Newby, L. Nicol, B. Noel-Buxton, L. Norfolk, D. Norrie, L. Northbourne, L. Northesk, E. Northfield, L. Norton, L. O’Cathain, B. Ogmore, L. Oliver of Aylmerton, L. Orr-Ewing, L. Owen, L. Oxfuird, V. Palmer, L. Park of Monmouth, B. Parkinson, L. Patten, L. Paul, L. Pearson of Rannoch, L. Peel, E. Pender, L. Peston, L. Pilkington of Oxenford, L. Pitkeathly, B. Platt of Writtle, B. Plummer of St. Marylebone, L. Ponsonby of Shulbrede, L. Prys-Davies, L. Pym, L. Quirk, L. Ramsay of Cartvale, B. Randall of St. Budeaux, L. Rankeillour, L. Rathcavan, L. Rawlings, B. Rea, L. Reay, L. Redesdale, L. Rees, L. Renton, L. Renton of Mount Harry, L. Renwick, L. Renwick of Clifton, L. Richard, L. Ridley, V. Ripon, Bp. Roberts of Conwy, L. Rodgers of Quarry Bank, L. Romney, E. Rotherwick, L. Russell, E. St. Davids, V. St. John of Bletso, L. St. John of Fawsley, L. Saltoun of Abernethy, Ly. Sandwich, E. Scotland of Asthal, B. Seccombe, B. Sefton of Garston, L. Selborne, E. Selkirk of Douglas, L. Serota, B. Shannon, E. Shaw of Northstead, L. Shepherd, L. Shrewsbury, E. Simon, V. Simon of Glaisdale, L. Skelmersdale, L. Skidelsky, L. Smith of Gilmorehill, B. Soulsby of Swaffham Prior, L. Spens, L. Stallard, L. Steel of Aikwood, L. Steyn, L. Stoddart of Swindon, L. Strabolgi, L. Strafford, E. Strange, B. Strathcarron, L. Strathclyde, L. Strathcona and Mount Royal, L. Sudeley, L. Suffield, L. Suffolk and Berkshire, E. Swansea, L. Swinfen, L. Swinton, E. Taverne, L. Taylor of Blackburn, L. Taylor of Gryfe, L. Tenby, V. Teviot, L. Thomas of Gresford, L. Thomas of Gwydir, L. Thomson of Monifieth, L. Thurlow, L. Thurso, V. Tope, L. Trefgarne, L. Turner of Camden, B. Ullswater, V. Vivian, L. Waddington, L. Walker of Doncaster, L. Walker of Worcester, L. Wallace of Saltaire, L. Walpole, L. Waverley, V. Weatherill, L. Weinstock, L. Westbury, L. Whaddon, L. Wharton, B. Whitelaw, V. Whitty, L. Wigoder, L. Wilberforce, L. Wilcox, B. Williams of Crosby, B. Williams of Elvel, L. Winston, L. Wise, L. Woolton, E. Young, B. PRAYERS were read by the Lord Bishop of Lichfield 1. Baroness Scotland of Asthal—Miss Patricia Janet Scotland QC, having been created Baroness Scotland of Asthal, of Asthal in the County of Oxfordshire, for life by Letters Patent dated in the afternoon of 30th October 1997 (see appendix 1), was introduced between the Baroness Dean of Thornton-le-Fylde and the Lord Steyn, the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod and Garter King of Arms preceding; and took and subscribed the oath pursuant to statute. 2. Lord Freeman—The Right Honourable Roger Norman Freeman, having been created Lord Freeman, of Dingley in the County of Northamptonshire, for life by Letters Patent dated in the afternoon of 29th October 1997 (see appendix 2), was introduced between the Lord Lane of Horsell and the Lord Parkinson, the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod and Garter King of Arms preceding; and took and subscribed the oath pursuant to statute. 3. Oath—Arnold Lord Weinstock took and subscribed the oath pursuant to statute. Judicial Business 4. O’Neill and another (A.P) (Respondents) v. Phillips and others (Appellants) (England)—The appeal of Michael Phillips and Lisa Phillips was presented and it was ordered that in accordance with Standing Order VI the statement and appendix thereto be lodged on or before 18th December next. 5. Curtis (Respondent) v. Chairman of the London Rent Assessment Committee (Petitioner) and others—The petition of the Chairman of the London Rent Assessment Committee praying for leave to appeal was presented and referred to an Appeal Committee. Page 311 1997-98 Volume 231 Back to top 6. British Fuels Limited (Appellants) v. Baxendale and another (Respondents)—The appellants’ statement having been lodged on 5th November the cause was set down for hearing and referred to an Appellate Committee. 7. In re Levin (A.P.) (Appellant) (Application for a writ of Habeas Corpus) (On appeal from a Divisional Court of the Queen’s Bench Division)—The appellant’s legal aid certificate was lodged and it was ordered that the appellant’s costs be taxed in accordance with the Legal Aid Act 1988. Papers 8. Affirmative Instrument—The following instrument was laid before the House for approval by resolution and ordered to lie on the Table: Draft Copyright and Rights in Databases Regulations 1997. 9. Negative Instruments—The following instruments were laid before the House and ordered to lie on the Table: 1. Education (Pupil Registration) (Amendment) Regulations 1997, laid under the Education Act 1996;   (2624) 2. Judicial Pensions (Requisite Surviving Spouses’ Benefits etc) Order 1997, laid under the Pensions Act 1995;   (2667) 3. Judicial Pensions (Requisite Surviving Spouses’ Benefits etc) Order (Northern Ireland) 1997, laid under the Pensions (Northern Ireland) Order 1995.   (—) 10. Papers not subject to parliamentary proceedings—The following papers were laid before the House and ordered to lie on the Table: 1. Report and Accounts for 1996–97 of the Curriculum Assessment Authority for Wales, laid under the Education Act 1996; 2. Report and Accounts for 1996–97 of the Tower Hamlets Housing Action Trust, laid under the Housing Act 1988; 3. Objectives, Instructions and Guidance for the Rail Franchising Director given by the Minister for Transport, laid under the Railways Act 1993; 4. Accounts for 1996–97 of the Natural History Museum, together with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General, laid under the Museums and Galleries Act 1992; 5. (i) Accounts for 1996–97 of the Research Councils’ Pension Schemes, together with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General— (ii) Accounts for 1996–97 of the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, together with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General—   laid under the Science and Technology Act 1965; 6. Accounts for 1996–97 of the National Galleries of Scotland, together with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General, laid under the National Galleries of Scotland Act 1906; 7. Accounts for 1996–97 of the National Library of Scotland, together with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General, laid under the National Library of Scotland Act 1925; 8. Accounts for 1996–97 of the National Museums of Scotland, together with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General, laid under the National Heritage (Scotland) Act 1985. Public Business 11. Ministerial and other Salaries Bill—A message was received from the Commons that they have resolved that, in pursuance of the Parliament Act 1911, that House directs that the provisions of section 1(1) of that Act shall not apply to the bill. 12. Royal Assent—The Lord Chancellor notified the Queen’s Assent to the following Acts: Ministerial and other Salaries Act c. 62 Local Government Finance (Supplementary Credit Approvals) Act c. 63 13. Defence—It was moved by the Lord Gilbert that this House take note of Her Majesty’s Government’s defence policy; after debate, the motion was agreed to. The House was adjourned at half-past nine o’clock to Monday next, a quarter-past two o’clock. Page 312 1997-98 Volume 231 Back to top APPENDIX 1 ELIZABETH THE SECOND by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of Our other Realms and Territories Queen Head of the Commonwealth Defender of the Faith To all Lords Spiritual and Temporal and all other Our Subjects whatsoever to whom these Presents shall come Greeting Know Ye that We of Our especial grace certain knowledge and mere motion in pursuance of the Life Peerages Act 1958 and of all other powers in that behalf Us enabling do by these Presents advance create and prefer Our trusty and well beloved Miss Patricia Janet Scotland one of Our Counsel learned in the Law to the state degree style dignity title and honour of Baroness Scotland of Asthal of Asthal in Our County of Oxfordshire And for Us Our heirs and successors do appoint give and grant unto her the said name state degree style dignity title and honour of Baroness Scotland of Asthal to have and to hold unto her for her life Willing and by these Presents granting for Us Our heirs and successors that she may have hold and possess a seat place and voice in the Parliaments and Public Assemblies and Councils of Us Our heirs and successors within Our United Kingdom amongst the Barons And also that she may enjoy and use all the rights privileges pre-eminences immunities and advantages to the degree of a Baron duly and of right belonging which Barons of Our United Kingdom have heretofore used and enjoyed or as they do at present use and enjoy In Witness whereof We have caused these Our Letters to be made Patent Witness Ourself at Westminster in the afternoon of the thirtieth day of October in the forty-sixth year of Our Reign BY WARRANT UNDER THE QUEEN’S SIGN MANUAL APPENDIX 2 ELIZABETH THE SECOND by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of Our other Realms and Territories Queen Head of the Commonwealth Defender of the Faith To all Lords Spiritual and Temporal and all other Our Subjects whatsoever to whom these Presents shall come Greeting Know Ye that We of Our especial grace certain knowledge and mere motion in pursuance of the Life Peerages Act 1958 and of all other powers in that behalf Us enabling do by these Presents advance create and prefer Our right trusty and well beloved Counsellor Roger Norman Freeman to the state degree style dignity title and honour of Baron Freeman of Dingley in Our County of Northamptonshire And for Us Our heirs and successors do appoint give and grant unto him the said name state degree style dignity title and honour of Baron Freeman to have and to hold unto him for his life Willing and by these Presents granting for Us Our heirs and successors that he may have hold and possess a seat place and voice in the Parliaments and Public Assemblies and Councils of Us Our heirs and successors within Our United Kingdom amongst the Barons And also that he may enjoy and use all the rights privileges pre-eminences immunities and advantages to the degree of a Baron duly and of right belonging which Barons of Our United Kingdom have heretofore used and enjoyed or as they do at present use and enjoy In Witness whereof We have caused these Our Letters to be made Patent Witness Ourself at Westminster in the afternoon of the twenty-ninth day of October in the forty-sixth year of Our Reign BY WARRANT UNDER THE QUEEN’S SIGN MANUAL