Opposition spokesman Lord McKenzie of Luton commended the government for doing the "right thing".

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But Lib Dem Lord Addington asserted that if that right was exercised the different parts of the UK would be on different time zones which is "an irritation we do not need".

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The Lord Ashcroft-owned Bank of Belize was also granted the exclusive right to set up offshore companies in Belize for US and UK citizens.

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Mr Moynihan told Lord Mackay, sitting with Lady Dorrian and Lord McEwan, that in so far as the women were part of a team their right to conscientious objection extended to the whole of their duties, save for the provision that there was an obligation to participate in life-saving measures.

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