My Lords, I regret to inform the House of the death today of the noble Lord, Lord Ezra. On behalf of the House, I extend our condolences to the noble Lord’s family and friends.

My Lords, I regret to inform the House of the death today of the noble Lord, Lord Ezra. On behalf of the House, I extend our condolences to the noble Lord’s family and friends.

Lords announcement of the death of Lord Ezra on 22 December 2015.

Lords announcement of the death of Lord Ezra on 22 December 2015.

My Lords, I wish to inform the House of the death of the noble Lord, Lord Janner of Braunstone, on 19 December. On behalf of the House, I extend our condolences to the noble Lord’s family and friends.

My Lords, I wish to inform the House of the death of the noble Lord, Lord Janner of Braunstone, on 19 December. On behalf of the House, I extend our condolences to the noble Lord’s family and friends.

Lords announcement of the death of Lord Janner of Braunstone on 19 December 2015.

Lords announcement of the death of Lord Janner of Braunstone on 19 December 2015.

Lords motion to agree the first report from the Procedure Committee on Changes to the leave of absence scheme; Ballot for oral question slots during recesses; Status of interpreted or translated evidence to select committees (HL 62). Agreed to on question.

Lords motion to agree the first report from the Procedure Committee on Changes to the leave of absence scheme; Ballot for oral question slots during recesses; Status of interpreted or translated evidence to select committees (HL 62). Agreed to on question.

Lords motion that the standing orders relating to public business be amended as follows: Standing Order 22 (Leave of Absence) In Standing Order 22(1), in line 2, after 'so' insert 'for reasons of temporary circumstance'; and in line 3 leave out from 'pleasure' to end. In Standing Order 22, after paragraph (2) insert - '(2A) When applying for leave of absence a Lord should state in his written application that he has a reasonable expectation that he will be in a position again to take part in the proceedings of the House. (2B) The provisions of paragraph (2A) do not apply to the Earl Marshal and the Lord Great Chamberlain.' In Standing Order 22(3), in line 4, after 'to' insert 'resign under the House of Lords Reform Act 2014 or, if he expects to attend again in the future,'. In Standing Order 22, leave out paragraph (4). Agreed to on question.

Lords motion that the standing orders relating to public business be amended as follows: Standing Order 22 (Leave of Absence) In Standing Order 22(1), in line 2, after 'so' insert 'for reasons of temporary circumstance'; and in line 3 leave out from 'pleasure' to end. In Standing Order 22, after...

My Lords, in moving that the first report from the Procedure Committee be agreed to, I will also speak briefly to the amendment to the Standing Orders. The report covers three areas.

First, noble Lords will have noticed that the report proposes changes to the leave of absence scheme. These changes...

My Lords, in moving that the first report from the Procedure Committee be agreed to, I will also speak briefly to the amendment to the Standing Orders. The report covers three areas.

First, noble Lords will have noticed that the report proposes changes to the leave of absence scheme. These changes...

My Lords, I am concerned about the first issue on which the noble Lord has reported. I am a great believer in trying to look at the unintended consequences that can often arise from any sort of rule change. Certainly, we do not have a terribly good history on this...

My Lords, I am concerned about the first issue on which the noble Lord has reported. I am a great believer in trying to look at the unintended consequences that can often arise from any sort of rule change. Certainly, we do not have a terribly good history on this...

It is necessary because the House is trying to encourage people who have no intention of playing a part to take the necessary action. Should they intend genuinely and sincerely to again play an active part, that would of course be accepted. Should the circumstances change, this House will exercise...

It is necessary because the House is trying to encourage people who have no intention of playing a part to take the necessary action. Should they intend genuinely and sincerely to again play an active part, that would of course be accepted. Should the circumstances change, this House will exercise...

On the third point, about translations, can the Chairman of Committees explain to what extent that translation must be authorised and, if so, by whom?

On the third point, about translations, can the Chairman of Committees explain to what extent that translation must be authorised and, if so, by whom?

My Lords, clearly it is for the committee to decide how to conduct its business. It would be for the committee to ensure that the arrangements are satisfactory not just for the committee members but for members of the public who are in the room and for the webcast. Therefore,...

My Lords, clearly it is for the committee to decide how to conduct its business. It would be for the committee to ensure that the arrangements are satisfactory not just for the committee members but for members of the public who are in the room and for the webcast. Therefore,...

My Lords, how will the committee decide whether a Member’s intention to take a leave of absence is genuine or not? Is someone going to decide whether the explanation given is acceptable?

My Lords, how will the committee decide whether a Member’s intention to take a leave of absence is genuine or not? Is someone going to decide whether the explanation given is acceptable?

My Lords, this is a self-regulating House, as we all know. We all of us act on our honour. If someone is willing to state that that is their intention, that will be accepted.

My Lords, this is a self-regulating House, as we all know. We all of us act on our honour. If someone is willing to state that that is their intention, that will be accepted.

My Lords, I understood that the House was trying to help people retire and perhaps secure increased retirements. Is there a danger under the proposal that is being put before the House that people might undertake this arrangement and not the retirement proposal? That runs contrary to the objective of...

My Lords, I understood that the House was trying to help people retire and perhaps secure increased retirements. Is there a danger under the proposal that is being put before the House that people might undertake this arrangement and not the retirement proposal? That runs contrary to the objective of...

My Lords, these matters were very carefully considered by the committee. At the end of the day, the House has to expect Members to act on their honour.

My Lords, these matters were very carefully considered by the committee. At the end of the day, the House has to expect Members to act on their honour.

My Lords, may I revert to the issue of putting down Oral Questions? How would this affect the Topical Question?

My Lords, may I revert to the issue of putting down Oral Questions? How would this affect the Topical Question?

My Lords, I should emphasise that this arrangement is for only the period of recess. Therefore, the Questions that are available

during a period of recess will be handled in exactly the way that we deal with Topical Questions and Thursday ballot debates—we have experience of handling ballots of this...

My Lords, I should emphasise that this arrangement is for only the period of recess. Therefore, the Questions that are available

during a period of recess will be handled in exactly the way that we deal with Topical Questions and Thursday ballot debates—we have experience of handling ballots of this...

My Lords, the question of a leave of absence, which has been raised by a number of noble Lords, is important. I would like to know whether the committee, when it discussed this, had any representation from noble Lords.

My Lords, the question of a leave of absence, which has been raised by a number of noble Lords, is important. I would like to know whether the committee, when it discussed this, had any representation from noble Lords.

My Lords, the committee acts on behalf of the House. We have taken soundings and received a very detailed paper on the subject. We have come to these conclusions and now report them to the House. It is for the House to agree this matter.

My Lords, the committee acts on behalf of the House. We have taken soundings and received a very detailed paper on the subject. We have come to these conclusions and now report them to the House. It is for the House to agree this matter.