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The noble Lord, Lord Grenfell, has represented the Lord Chancellor and then the Lord Speaker, who, by the nature of their jobs, often have to be on the Woolsack. I understand that the noble Lord has represented this House on numerous occasions before other Parliaments and on international bodies, always with the skill, tact and diplomacy that has been associated with his name. It is for his international representation, as well as his skill as a chairman and his reputation as a good egg, that we on these Benches thank him for his work. As for his retirement, on another occasion over which the Lord Speaker presided, the noble Lord announced with some vigour that he had no intention of retiring and was just going to pause over Christmas before deciding what to do next. We look forward to finding out in the new year.

Baroness D'Souza: My Lords, on behalf of the Cross Benches, I am grateful for the opportunity to add to the tributes already paid to the noble Lord, Lord Grenfell. There are many areas in which he has expanded the work of the committee under his watch, particularly that of scrutiny. For example, there has been the increasing work with national parliaments and the valuable institution of a Brussels liaison officer, as well as the translation of some parts of some reports into French and German—always a useful measure.

As your Lordships will know, Sub-Committee G monitors social policy and consumer affairs. During this year alone, it has scrutinised such diverse issues as working time directives, consumer credit agreements and the regulation of food information for consumers. It also carried out a major investigation into donor organ transplants which, as your Lordships know, is a matter of life or death for those awaiting organ transfer. The report that followed this extensive and intensive inquiry concluded that the EU directive would indeed help to improve the supply in Europe but emphasised the need to allow scope for clinical judgment and patient choice. I have no doubt that this report will, as do all committee reports, add immeasurably to subsequent legislation, to the benefit of us all.

The range of work undertaken and the innovations of the past few years are remarkable. The reports are hugely respected and used throughout Europe. We owe congratulations and gratitude in equal measure to the noble Lord for having achieved so much.

Lord Grenfell: My Lords, perhaps I may take a brief moment to express my warmest thanks to noble Lords who have just spoken for their much too generous remarks. Rather, I should be thanking noble Lords for

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having entrusted me with the chairmanship of the European Union Select Committee and the principal deputy chairmanship of committees during these past six years. I can sincerely say that they have been the most stimulating and satisfying years of my parliamentary life.

I also take this opportunity to thank all noble Lords who have participated in the work of the European Union Select Committee and its sub-committees during my term of office. Their very hard work week in and week out of scrutinising European legislation and European documents has been an extraordinarily valuable contribution, and I thank them also for the incomparable skill and expertise that they apply to it.

I take this opportunity also to pay a special tribute to the staff of the Select Committee and the sub-committees, because their dedication, hard work and skills enable those committees to fulfil their mandates. They would not be able to do so without that support from those extraordinary staff.

Finally, I congratulate my distinguished successor, the noble Lord, Lord Roper, on his appointment. I wish him well. If he enjoys his terms of office as much as I have, he will be a very happy man.



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The noble Baroness the Leader of the House referred to the fact that I shall return to the Labour Back Benches. I sought her out at one occasion to inform her that that was my intention and she received the news with her customary fortitude.

I very much look forward to contributing to the work of your Lordships' House in the future, and I thank each and every noble Lord who has given me splendid support during my term of office.

Motion agreed nemine dissentiente.

Stoppages in the Streets

It was ordered that the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis do take care that the passages through the streets leading to this House be kept free and open and that no obstruction be permitted to hinder the passage of Lords to and from this House during the sitting of Parliament; or to hinder Lords in the pursuit of their parliamentary duties on the Parliamentary Estate; and that the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod attending this House do communicate this Order to the Commissioner.

House adjourned at 4.57 pm.


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