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Proceeding contribution from Lord Williamson of Horton (Crossbench) in the House of Lords on Tuesday, 17 May 2011. It occurred during Ministerial statement on House of Lords Reform Bill.


House of Lords Reform Bill

My Lords, obviously what we are dealing with is an important constitutional issue. That is what we need to concentrate on. I want to put two specific points to the Leader of the House, because while I do not care too much about the new elected Members, I care about my friends who are here now. My first point is that, when we come to the first election, the draft Bill proposes in Schedule 6 that two-thirds of the existing Members would be considered transitional Members. Accordingly, one-third of my friends—I cannot see which ones—will not be here any more. I really think it is essential to be clear how it is going to be achieved. The Leader said that that is dealt with in the document but I cannot find it, even though I read very fast. My second point is that this document sets out the membership of the House and includes the transitional Members. Again, in Clause 59, the draft Bill says that all Members listed at the beginning are to receive a salary. Accordingly, I assume that all my friends here who have not been slung out because they are not in the two-thirds will receive a salary. Would the noble Lord confirm that?


Secondary information

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
727 c1285 
Session
2010-12
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
Subjects
Bishops Elections House of Lords House of Lords composition Electoral systems Public appointments Peers Reform Single transferable vote Crossbenchers
Legislation
Draft House of Lords Reform Bill
Link
View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk