House of Lords Appointments Commission

Lord Fowler Excerpts

Tuesday 5th January 2021 Lords Chamber

[Lord True (Con)]

My Lords, I disagree that appointments are damaging the reputation of the House, as keeps being put. I am grateful that all noble Lords are, as I am, jealous of the reputation of the House, but if quantity of appointments were the issue, it would have been badly damaged under a previous Administration. The noble Baroness referred also to appointments of hereditary Peers. If we are talking of statutory matters, I suggest that the House of Lords looks at the statute on this matter.

[The Lord Speaker (Lord Fowler)]

My Lords, the time allowed for this Private Notice Question has elapsed.

[Viscount Younger of Leckie (Con)]

No.

[The Lord Speaker (Lord Fowler)]

I beg your pardon. I am so sorry; I just got carried away. We will continue with the noble Lord, Lord Jay.

[Lord Jay of Ewelme (CB) [V]]

Thank you, Lord Speaker. I declare my interest as a former chairman of HOLAC. Its advice was accepted by all Prime Ministers, from Tony Blair to Theresa May. If its advice is discarded, the system pretty quickly falls into disrepute. Does the Minister agree that the Appointments Commission should be seen as a creature of this House and that its chairman and members should be chosen by this House?

--- Later in debate ---

[Lord True (Con)]

My Lords, a large number of considerations were wrapped up in that beguiling question. There is an argument that, as this House is not elected, its reputation rests on its expertise and that therefore a considerable number of Members might be desirable, as they bring their expertise here. I simply rest on the point that we should not be carried away by, sadly, a political attack on a particular individual. All noble Lords should be prepared to welcome all our new colleagues, when they come to your Lordships’ House.

[The Lord Speaker (Lord Fowler)]

My Lords, all supplementary questions have now been asked. I apologise for seeking to bring proceedings to a close a little prematurely.