I am the lord of the darts said he…

Who says the House of Lords is stuffy? While the House was debating the Tobacco Advertising and Promotion Bill this month, discussion turned to darts and whether the game would be able to find sponsors to replace the much-relied on tobacco companies.

Up steps Lord McNally to the oche. “My creative thinking,” he says dryly, “is that we should ask whether those involved in darts have ever thought of approaching Slim Fast as a possible sponsor.”

Not to be outdone, Department of Health minister Lord Hunt of Kings Heath remembers wistfully: “I spent many happy hours in my early 20s playing darts with my right honourable friend the Chief Secretary to the Treasury (Andrew Smith). That was a clever ruse to ensure that 30 years later we might get extra money for the department.”

And they want to reform the Lords? These people should have their own TV show.