Member

It was noticeable that I gave evidence to the special Select Committee but I should say that I was invited to do so not because I would have a financial interest or a loss but because I use the gardens every day and the Lords Select Committee thought that I might have a valuable point to make about it. It struck me that, when the noble Lord, Lord Carlile, produced his evidence, the committee pounced immediately. Two former Supreme Court judges, among others, concluded that he had made a very serious point. While the committee kindly and respectfully listened to the rest of us, it was the points made by the noble Lord, Lord Carlile, that it put into its report for very serious consideration. If we reject what he said, we will also be rejecting the conclusions of the eminent Lords Select Committee.