Written question asked by Gordon Prentice (Labour) on Tuesday, 1 May 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 8 May 2001. It was answered by Baroness Beckett (Labour) on Tuesday, 8 May 2001 on behalf of the Leader of the House of Commons.

President of the Council;Leader of the House of Commons

Question: To ask the President of the Council, what criteria will be used by the House of Lords Appointments Commission in deciding whether to accept persons recommended for peerages by the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition and the Leader of the Liberal Democrats.

Answer: Mr. Gordon Prentice: To ask the President of the Council what criteria will be used by the House of Lords Appointments Commission in deciding whether to accept persons recommended for peerages by the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition and the Leader of the Liberal Democrats. [160325] Mrs. Beckett: The Commission carries out the role hitherto exercised by the political Honours Scrutiny Committee. It will look at all persons put forward by the political parties to ensure that they meet the highest standards of propriety. I understand that the Commission has said that it will seek assurances that someone is not and never has been a threat to national security, that he or she has complied in a straightforward way with obligations in relation to taxation and the receipt of benefits and the Commission will take into account any serious criminal offences. Information will also be sought as to any donations made to the party concerned by the individual recommended. The commission has set its approach in a published information pack and on its website.

Secondary information