Explanatory Note on the Debate in the House of Lords Concerning Cluster Munitions

Lord Elton opened a debate in the House of Lords in connection with Lords Dubs' Private Member's Bill "Cluster munitions (Prohibition) Bill 2006-2007" on 17 May 2007. Will Moy, Parliamentary Assistant to Lord Low (who spoke in the debate and who is Chairman of the RNIB) has given this useful explanation of what happened on that day. "The proceedings yesterday were simply a debate in the House of Lords.They were completely separate from Lord Dubs' Bill. That Bill completed its passage through the Lords in February and is now waiting for a second reading in the House of Commons, so the Lords is done with it. The Commons is highly unlikely to ever give it a second reading; this is normal for Lords' Private Members Bills. Every Thursday, the Lords debate two motions on issues of general importance. If the debate is prompted by the publication of a report, the motion is 'to take note'. If the motion is not about a report, then the motion is 'for the papers'. Motions to take note are customarily agreed to; motions for the papers are always withdrawn by their proposer. Motions are used to have a discussion not as a way for the House to express its opinion, and that is why the motions get withdrawn at the end of the debate. When Lord Elton said (from memory) 'I beg leave, with some reluctance, to withdraw the motion' he was just sticking to the procedure of the House but just trying to underline the importance of the cause by saying 'with some reluctance' in that wistful fashion. The speakers in the debate were overwhelmingly supportive of Lord Elton and Lord Dubs, so it achieved its purpose. The hope now is that the Government will notice that and negotiate willingly in Lima at the next round of the Oslo process." You can access the whole debate by going to the Parliament website which is www.parliament.co.uk and under the section "PUBLICATIONS & RECORDS" you will find the link for "Lords Publications". Then go to "Lords Hansard" and "Lords Hansard - Past Editions" and find the record for 17 May 2007 and in it the topic "Cluster Munitions". The quickest way is to click here.