European Union (Amendment) Bill

My Lords, I have been called many things, usually in an opposite category to ““barrack-room lawyer””. I do not think that I fit naturally into that category. However, I agree with the noble Lord that we should test the opinion of the House. There is a difference between us over whether the 90-minute procedure described by the Minister suffices as proper parliamentary control. We do not think that it does and we are entitled to that opinion. There is a doubt about how it would work in the other place. It is not a case of finding a difference: there is a distinct doubt. I will take the advice of the noble Lord, Lord McNally, which is often very good. Sometimes it is not very good and sometimes it is rather rude. However, in this case, I will take his advice and urge that we now test the opinion of the House. On Question, Whether the said amendment (No. 16) shall be agreed to? Their Lordships divided: Contents, 16; Not-Contents, 33.