House of Lords: Numbers and Eligibility
Debate between Viscount Hailsham and Baroness Smith of Basildon(1 week, 6 days ago)
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Baroness Smith of Basildon (Lab)
My Lords, how and when we implement our manifesto is, as it is for every single party, a matter for the Government. One of the things I committed to this House is having discussions on how we implement 80; I said that in the first Answer. There is also the issue of participation. I think the House will want to have a view on those things, and I am happy to accept representations on how they are implemented.
Viscount Hailsham (Con)
My Lords, may I suggest that in future, Peers are appointed for a limited period, say 10 or 15 years?
Baroness Smith of Basildon (Lab)
My Lords, that was not the commitment in the Labour Party manifesto, but it has been raised with me by several noble Lords. There are different views across the House on that. I think the Burns report recommended 15 years, and another suggestion was 20 years. There is a choice for the House to make. I have not detected overall support for that. Partly, it has come about because much younger Peers have been appointed, and an appointment for life means that they are here for a very long time. The contrary to that is that hopefully, they will build up great expertise during their time here.
Business of the House
Debate between Viscount Hailsham and Baroness Smith of Basildon(1 week, 6 days ago)
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Baroness Smith of Basildon (Lab)
My Lords, the advisory time is based on the number of Members speaking. It is advisory out of courtesy to the whole House. Looking at other debates of a similar nature and time, I am confident that the House can make its views known in that time.
Viscount Hailsham (Con)
My Lords, following what my noble friend has just said, would it not have been better to have had a two-day debate? I declare an interest: alas, because of professional engagements, I cannot get here at 11 am, and I had hoped to participate in the Second Reading debate. A two-day debate would have been altogether preferable.
Baroness Smith of Basildon (Lab)
My Lords, I am sorry about that; I would have welcomed the noble Viscount’s contribution. However, he will appreciate that two days are sometimes difficult for other colleagues. This was agreed, via the usual channels, with the Chief Whip’s Office.