27
Orimulsion
'ULB011/122 ULBO!!!
NOVEMBER 1993]
Baroness Denton of Wakefield: My Lords, one of these stations was converted from coal. Again, this is a subject in which decisions are based on the knowledge of the operators.
Baroness Llewelyn-Davies of Hastoe: My Lords, may I revert to the question that was put to the Government by my noble friend on the Front Bench and ask the Leader of the House whether the noble Baroness, whom we all love very dearly, was ill advised when she answered in the way that she did? Is it not a fact that the Government Front Bench must answer for the Government?
Baroness Denton of Wakefield: My Lords, if I may, I should prefer to answer the noble Baroness myself. I was not ill advised. It was my way of saying that I believe that this is outside the scope of the Question. I apologise if that caused offence to Members of your Lordships' House.
Lord Williams of Elvel: My Lords, may I ask the noble Baroness one further question? I am sorry to press her about this. She said that the choice of fuel was a matter for the operators. Is it not the case that, as the noble Lord, Lord Cavendish of Furness, replied from the Government Front Bench on 27th November 1991, the burning of orimulsion on a long-term basis is with the agreement of Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Pollution under S.I. 318? It is therefore not a free choice of the operator.
Baroness Denton of Wakefield: My Lords, I draw the noble Lord's attention to the fact that that is the standard to which it has to be burned. I stress again that the choice of what is burned is a decision for the operator.
2.58 p.m.
Committee of Selection
The Chairman of Committees (Lord Ampthill): My Lords, I beg to move the Motion standing in my name on the Order Paper.
Moved, That in accordance with Standing Order 61 a Committee be appointed to select and propose to the House the names of the Lords to form each Select Committee of the House (except the Committee of Selection itself and any committee otherwise provided for by statute or by order of the House) or any other body, not being a Select Committee, referred to it by the Chairman of Committees, and the panel of Deputy Chairmen of Committees; and that the following Lords together with the Chairman of Committees be named of the Committee-
L. Denham, L. Graham of Edmonton, B. Hylton-Foster, L. Jenkins of Hillhead, L. Morris of Castle Morris, L. Richard, L. Tordoff, V. Ullswater, L. Wakeham (L. Privy Seal), L. Weatherill.-The Chairman of Committees.)
On Question, Motion agreed to.
p.n. Rets wil
"Part.
Debate on the Address (Second Day)
Medical Ethics: Select Committee
28
(0131)
The Lord Privy Seal (Lord Wakeham): My Lords, I beg to move the Motion standing in my name on the Order Paper.
Moved, That a Select Committee be appointed to consider
the ethical, legal and clinical implications of a person's right to withhold consent to life-prolonging treatment, and the position of persons who are no longer able to give or withhold consent;
and to consider whether and in what circumstances actions that have as their intention or a likely consequence the shortening of another person's life may be justified on the grounds that they accord with that person's wishes or with that person's best interests; and in all the foregoing considerations to pay regard to the likely effects of changes in law or medical practice on society as a whole.-(Lord Wakeham.)
On Question, Motion agreed to.
Address in Reply to Her Majesty's Most Gracious Speech
Debate resumed on the Motion moved on Thursday last by Viscount Montgomery of Alamein—namely, That a humble Address be presented to Her Majesty as follows:
"Most Gracious Sovereign-We, Your Majesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects, the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament assembled, beg leave to thank Your Majesty for the most gracious Speech which Your
Majesty has addressed to both Houses of Parliament.”
2.59 p.m.
Baroness Chalker of Wallasey: My Lords, it is an honour to open today your Lordships' debate on the gracious Speech. I know how much your Lordships look forward to hearing the maiden speeches of my noble friend Lord Chesham and the noble Viscount, Lord Waverley. I know that we shall listen to them on many occasions, and I, particularly, will take careful note of all that they impart to us.
It is impossible, in the short time available, and with so many of your Lordships wishing to speak, to make a truly comprehensive review of foreign policy. Forgive me then, but I shall be selective. I shall concentrate my remarks upon the Middle East, South Africa, Russia, Hong Kong, the former Yugoslavia, and Britain's aid effort, but that is only a small part of it. My noble friend Lord Cranborne will concentrate his remarks upon our defence and security policy.
No Foreign Office Minister can survey the world with boundless optimism. There is too much going on which reinforces Gibbon's view that history is the register of the crimes, follies and misfortunes of mankind, but circumspect optimism has its place. Events this year have made the case against pessimism. In the Middle East, South Africa, and even in Russia there is much, although not yet enough, from which we may take some real encouragement. In the Middle East, the breakthrough earlier this year in negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians was a dawning of
23 LE71/5 Job 1-3
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.