Written question asked by Lord Fearn (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 24 October 2016, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Monday, 7 November 2016. It was answered by Lord McFall of Alcluith (Non-affiliated) on Monday, 7 November 2016 on behalf of the Senior Deputy Speaker (HL).

Peers: Attendance

Question: To ask the Leader of the House how many of the current members of the House of Lords have attended the House on an average of two days per week during full sitting weeks during the last year for which figures are available.

Answer: We do not keep figures in a way that makes it possible to compare attendance in a weekly pattern without incurring disproportionate cost. A usual sitting week is 4 days long. So a member who attends 50% of sittings would attend an average of about two days per week spread over a year. In the year ended 21 October 2016 there were 535 current members who attended more than 50% of sittings and 275 who attended 50% or fewer sittings. These percentages do not take account of members on leave of absence, suspended from participating in the House or disqualified from sitting in the House.

Secondary information