Washminster

Washminster
Washminster

Friday 22 February 2008

The Battle for the Northern Rock Bill.

The Banking (Special Provisions) Bill has now received its Royal Assent - but after an intense battle. The Tories and Liberal Democrats inflicted defeats on the Government in the House of Lords - and Members of both Houses had to stay late (Normally on a Thurday the exodus begins in the late afternoon, with the Palace of Westminster empty by 7pm).

The House of Commons finished voting at 9.14pm & the Bill returned to the Lords. At 10.15pm the Lords resumed to consider the Bill (It had been suspended from 6.34pm "to await the return of the Banking (Special Provisions) Bill from the Commons". Their Lordships declined to insist upon their amendments, so the Bill received its Royal Assent - and the Lords adjourned at 11.06pm. The Commons resumed their sitting to be told of the Royal Assent and after the daily adjournment debate adjourned at 11.36