International Development (Gender Equality) Bill — First Reading

House of Lords, 20 January 2014.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns (Conservative)

My Lords, I beg to move that this Bill be now read a first time.

Lord Foulkes of Cumnock (Labour)

I wonder whether the Chief Whip can explain how this Bill is going to be considered in Committee and on Report when every Friday has been hijacked by the Government for the European Union (Referendum) Bill.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns (Conservative)

My Lords, the Companion says that First Readings are not a matter for debate. On the matter that the noble Lord raised, he referred to the hijacking of the Bill. The Government have not hijacked it. It is a Private Member’s Bill. The hijacking has been carried out by those, including the noble Lord, who have tabled an excessive number of amendments.

Bill read a first time and ordered to be printed.