(318) SUPREME COURT: THE HOUSE OF LORDS DEBATES
The House of Lords debated the Government’s proposals for a Supreme Court (and also the abolition of the Lord Chancellor and the creation of a Judicial Appointments Commission for England and Wales) on 12 February 2004. The debate contained several contributions from serving and former Law Lords, Lord Chancellors, Bishops and other significant figures such as Lord Lester of Herne Hill, Baroness Kennedy of The Shaws, and Lord Rees-Mogg. Amongst the Scots there were contributions from Lord Mackay of Clashfern and Lord Hope of Craighead. But the most praised speech of the day – and the praise did not appear to be a matter just of form – was that of Lord Cullen of Whitekirk, Lord President of the Court of Session and Lord Justice General, who was making his maiden speech in the House. Lord Cullen’s speech went as follows:
My Lords