Lord Ashton of Hyde (Non-Afl)

My Lords, I am grateful to the noble Baroness the Leader of the House for coming up with and discussing this elegant solution, and for moving Amendment 1 and speaking to the consequential amendments, all of which I fully endorse. They will be much more comprehensive than my original amendment as soon as the detail has been addressed in the Standing Orders, and there will be a resolution to the problem that faced all parties and groups in the House. In her speech, she acknowledged and took into account the views of the House. By using Standing Orders to supply those details, the House will be given a chance to take a view on their merits, and they can be changed relatively easily if necessary—for example, if the power of attorney regime changes in the future. I also thank the noble and learned Lords, Lord Garnier and Lord Keen, the noble and learned Baroness, Lady Prentis, and the noble Lord, Lord Pannick, for their assistance and advice. In thanking the Leader, I note, as I am sure has not escaped her notice, that the only Back-Bench amendment to the historic House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) Bill subsequently adopted by the Government was initiated by a hereditary Peer—not an important fact, I admit, but perhaps a footnote to a footnote in history.