HOUSE OF LORDS
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
Wednesday 19th January 2005
The House met at half-past two o’clock.
PRAYERS were read by the Lord Bishop of Southwell.
1. Lord Patten of Barnes—The Right Honourable Christopher Francis Patten, CH, having been created Baron Patten of Barnes, of Barnes in the London Borough of Richmond, for life by Letters Patent dated 11th January 2005, was introduced between the Lord Hurd of Westwell and the Lord Carrington, the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod and Garter King of Arms preceding; and took and subscribed the oath pursuant to statute.
Judicial Business
2. Gravgaard (Petitioner) v. Aldridge & Brownlee (a firm) (Respondents)—The petition of Susan Mary Gravgaard praying for leave to appeal was presented and referred to an Appeal Committee (lodged 10th January).
3. Lincoln National Life Insurance Company (Petitioners) v. Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada and others (Respondents)—The petition of Lincoln National Life Insurance Company praying for leave to appeal was presented and referred to an Appeal Committee (lodged 10th January).
4. R (on the application of Corporation of London) (Respondents) v. Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Respondent) and others (Petitioners)—The petition of Covent Garden Market Authority praying for leave to appeal was presented and referred to an Appeal Committee.
5. Concord Trust (Original Appellants and Cross-respondents) v. Law Debenture Trust Corporation plc (Original Respondents and Cross-appellants)—The appeal was set down for hearing and referred to an Appellate Committee.
6. West Bromwich Building Society (Appellants) v. Wilkinson and another (Respondents)—The appeal was set down for hearing and referred to an Appellate Committee.
7. Brown (Appellant) v. Scottish Ministers (Respondents) (Scotland)—The petition of the appellant praying that the time for lodging the statement and appendix and setting down the cause for hearing might be extended to 16th February (the agents for the respondents consenting thereto) was presented; and it was ordered as prayed.
Papers
8. Command Papers—The following papers were presented to the House by command of Her Majesty and ordered to lie on the Table:
1. Standards in Public Life—Getting the Balance Right, Implementing Standards of Conduct in Public Life; (6407)
2. Marshall Aid—Report for the year ending 30th September 2004 of the Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission; (6418)
3. Environment—Revised Explanatory Memorandum on the Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters (Cm 4736); (—)
9. Negative Instruments—The following instruments were laid before the House and ordered to lie on the Table:
1. Social Security Pensions (Home Responsibilities) (Amendment) Regulations 2005, laid under the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992; (48)
2. Transport for London (Consequential Provisions) Order 2005, laid under the Greater London Authority Act 1999; (56)
3. Water Industry (Charges) (Vulnerable Groups) (Amendment) Regulations 2005, laid under the Water Industry Act 1991. (59)
Select Committee Report
10. Delegated Powers and Regulatory Reform—The following report from the Select Committee was made and ordered to be printed:
6th Report, on the following bills:
Income Tax (Trading and Other Income) Bill;
Renewable Energy Bill [HL];
Disability Discrimination Bill [HL]—Government response. (HL Paper 31)
Public Business
11. Mathematics teaching (Balloted debate)—It was moved by the Lord Peston that there be laid before the House papers relating to the state of mathematics teaching in schools; after debate, the motion was (by leave of the House) withdrawn.
12. Electricity supply (Balloted debate)—It was moved by the Lord Tombs that there be laid before the House papers relating to the problems in the electricity supply industry created by the absence of a strategic decision mechanism; after debate, the motion was (by leave of the House) withdrawn.
13. Inquiries Bill [HL]—The bill was reported from the Grand Committee without amendment.
14. H M Inspector of Prisons—The Baroness Stern asked Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure the independence and integrity of H M Inspector of Prisons in the light of the proposed consultation on merging criminal justice inspectorates; after debate, the question was answered by the Baroness Scotland of Asthal.
The House was adjourned at eight minutes past nine o’clock
till tomorrow, eleven o’clock.
PAUL HAYTER
Clerk of the Parliaments
APPENDIX
PROCEEDINGS OF THE GRAND COMMITTEE (IN THE MOSES ROOM)
The Committee met at half-past three o’clock.
Inquiries Bill [HL]—The bill was further considered in the Grand Committee; amendments were moved and (by leave of the Committee) withdrawn; it was ordered that the bill be reported without amendment.
The Committee was adjourned at six minutes past seven o’clock. | 
