And in any event that isn't what their lordships normally do at third reading.
Their Lordships, he argued, should have confidence in the Scottish people who, he forecast, would reject independence.
And so today's debate in their Lordships' House proceeded without a Nationalist contribution.
It's the last debating day before Christmas for their lordships (from 11am).
It's been agreed that their Lordships will pause in the debate when they run out of steam, and resume on Wednesday at 11am, to conclude.
BBC: Viewing guide: The coming week's highlights in Parliament
No, their Lordships chose to debate the arcanery of constituency boundaries.
Their lordships stole a march on the Commons today with a brief discussion - prompted by former Plaid Cymru leader Lord Wigley - about the Silk Commission report at question time.
BBC: Peers discuss whether Wales should have taxation powers
In general their lordships are rather less eurosceptic than MPs, but this will be the first parliamentary opportunity for Ukip to weigh in - and watch out for their new star turn, Lord Stevens of Ludgate.
This is the 29th defeat inflicted on ministers by their lordships (according to this invaluable site run the the UCL Constitution Unit) and there seems a growing prospect of many more before the Parliamentary year is out.
The business in the Commons (their lordships are not sitting until October) is pretty humdrum, but there is plenty of activity on the committee corridor, and a number of important-looking committee reports are due to be published after the recess begins...
Labour whip Lord Bassam tweeted as much - accusing the Work and Pensions Minister Lord Freud of delaying tactics. (Incidentally, given the age profile of their lordships, percentage turnout can be a little misleading - there are always some who can't register their vote because of illness and so forth).
Then it's the Public Bodies Bill - the bill to enable the promised bonfire of the quangos, which was heavily amended in the Lords - watch out for a row over whether the Government wants to reinstate plans to axe the Chief Coroner, and the Youth Justice Board for England and Wales and other bodies which were earmarked for abolition, but reprieved by Their Lordships.
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