Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms and Chief Whip (Lord Kennedy of Southwark) (Lab Co-op)

My Lords, we have now concluded our parliamentary business for the day and for this parliamentary Session. I will shortly adjourn the House and we will return tomorrow at 1.15 pm for the Prorogation ceremony only. I thank all Members, all the staff of the House and the usual channels for their work this Session. I also thank and pay particular tribute to Ayeesha Bhutta, who is the principal private secretary to me and the Leader of the House of Lords, my noble friend Lady Smith of Basildon. Ayeesha is an outstanding public servant, epitomising all that is great about the Civil Service. She has loyally served this Government, just as she did the previous Conservative Government. We have all benefited from her expertise, knowledge and calmness under pressure. She leaves her post at the end of next week, but we are lucky that she will be joining the House staff as the Clerk of Legislation, where she will do an outstanding job for the whole House. Finally, it has been a huge honour for me to serve as the Government Chief Whip and the Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms. I thank the whole House for both the support and the challenges that have been provided to me over the past 22 months. Even on the toughest days, it has been the most enormous privilege, and I always try to discharge my duties with a smile and, where possible, to assist noble Lords in their important work.