European Union (Amendment) Bill

The noble Lord has done what my leader did very successfully in the Commons, which is finally to get on the record the Conservative policy, which is not put on the doorstep. Although they talk about a referendum, which most people think is an in-or-out referendum, they want a referendum on Lisbon but want to stay in Europe. That is useful to know because it is not what is often implied in Conservative leaflets and Conservative propaganda. While we are at it, I noticed that BBC News website has a comment on our vote earlier today: "““Peers reject euro entry vote call””." The website says: "““Tory leader in the Lords, Lord Strathclyde, said there was ‘something very fishy’ about the government's refusal to back its own policy””." It is fascinating to read. Until a few minutes ago, one of the great mysteries of this debate was where the noble Lord, Lord Strathclyde, was. I hope that the noble Lord can assure us that when we come to Report, the noble Lord, Lord Strathclyde, will be brought to the Front Bench to join him in explaining Conservative policy because we have missed him over these seven long days.