Alex White (Labour)

Members cannot simply have a set piece debate, for which a Minister comes into the House to make a speech, followed by others by a series of Members. Instead, the quality of discussion must be examined, as well as the ability of Members to make a genuine contribution to the public debate that must happen. This is not taking place, although Members on all sides of the House have been calling for it for years. This is not to point the finger at anyone, except to state Members have taken an overly conservative approach to how they organise their business. They could be doing a great deal more and make a much better contribution, even in respect of Opposition proposals. Members on the benches opposite like to have the odd cut at the Opposition that it lacks proposals, disagrees with any proposals made and so on. Such proposals should be discussed, debated and scrutinised on the floor of the House. In that way, we could make a genuine contribution to the public debate that needs to happen. I ask the Leader once more to determine whether we can put our heads together in dealing with this urgent question in order that we can genuinely earn our keep in the Upper House, a real issue for the people. I refer not only to the number of times we sit but also to what we do when we sit.

In the next day or so will the Leader find out what the position is on the referendum on children's rights? What is the position on setting a date, on which the Government has been cogitating for the best part of a year, certainly eight or nine months? It is simply not acceptable. The Minister said the relevant proposal had been submitted to Departments. I believe it was the Deputy Leader who said on the last occasion that he had been briefed that the proposal had gone around Departments and that responses were awaited from them. What responses have been received? If Departments have given their responses, have they been discussed by the Government? In view of the fact that a commitment has been made on the holding of the by-elections, the writs for which are apparently to be moved by the end of March, is it intended that the referendum on children's rights will take place on the same day as the by-elections?