Oral question asked in the House of Lords, by Lord Campbell-Savours (Labour). It was answered on Wednesday, 9 December 2009.

House of Lords: Procedure Committee

Question: My Lords, with 240 Members of this House indicating that they want a review of the Speaker’s powers and responsibilities, the introduction of a new code of conduct, the reconstruction of the Lords expenses system and the Wright report in the Commons seeking wholesale modernisation of the handling of legislation, what is our Procedure Committee doing in the area of major changes which many Members are asking for and which would bring us into the 21st century?

Answer: My Lords, I am aware that there is interest in change, as has been expressed on a number of occasions recently by noble Lords speaking on the Loyal Address and at various other times. However, I do not believe—nor does practice have it—that the Procedure Committee is the best means of bringing about such change. Major changes of the kind that the noble Lord refers to are best considered normally by a Leader’s Group and occasionally by a Select Committee. It is then for that group to report to the House and for the House to consider any proposals. The Procedure Committee then implements those proposals. As the noble Lord will be aware, the Leader of the House has already responded to these suggestions—most notably on 25 November and at the Procedure Committee this week—and she is, I understand, considering whether to proceed.

Secondary information

Type: Oral question
Reference: 715 c1077
Session: 2009-10
Oral question type: 1st Supplementary
Chamber / Committee: House of Lords chamber
Subjects: Codes of practice Conduct Allowances House of Lords Powers Parliamentary procedure Peers Reform Procedure Committee (HL) Lord Speaker
Link: View this Oral question on www.publications.parliament.uk