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European Parliament (House of Lords Disqualification) Regulations 2008

Not at all, my Lords. I have always been extremely relaxed about the European convention, although I have had my moments of drama regarding the Act. Finally, my noble friend Lord Forsyth made an observation about the noble Lord, Lord Mandelson, and the European Commission. I quote the diplomatic correspondent of the Times, Bronwen Maddox, from her article on 9 October 2008. She wrote: "““Baroness Ashton of Upholland spent her first day as European Trade Commissioner yesterday after the Council of Ministers waved away the potential obstacle of her membership of the House of Lords. Brussels commissioners are not allowed to hold any public office but the chief Commission spokesman, Johannes Laitenberger, said that was ‘fully in line with the rules’ for Ashton to remain a peer (while taking leave of absence from the Lords). He said: ‘A life peerage is an honour, not a job’””." If a life peerage is an honour, not a job, then a hereditary peerage is certainly an honour, not a job. If the noble Lord, Lord Bach, is not inclined to accept my observations about Standing Orders, he has another way out.