Lord in Waiting/Government Whip (Lord Lemos) (Lab)

My Lords, if your Lordships pass this Bill today, it will not go back to the Commons but go straight to His Majesty the King for Royal Assent. I thank my noble friend Lord Watson for bringing the Bill forward and congratulate him, as well as my honourable friends Andrew Ranger and Emma Lewell in the other place. I wondered whether we should extend the licensing hours to celebrate the passing of this Bill, but I do not intend to test the opinion of the House on that question. The Chief Whip would have a heart attack, and I understand that he has plans for the weekend. It would also bring my late-blooming political career to an abrupt end. In an earlier debate on this Bill, the noble Lord, Lord Sandhurst, promised to drink more British beer if the Bill passes, so I think the drinks in the North Star are on the Opposition. I do not want to trivialise the Bill. As well as the obvious economic benefits of this change, what we celebrate, when we celebrate, how we celebrate, where we celebrate and with whom we celebrate are all markers of our shared national identity. These are the occasions when, as a nation, we show the better angels of our nature. With that, and with my thanks again to my noble friend Lord Watson and all those who have supported this Bill, with the Government’s support, I commend the Bill to the House.