Liaison Committee

Baroness Butler-Sloss Excerpts

Monday 1st July 2019 Lords Chamber

[The Senior Deputy Speaker]

What I can do is refer to the paper that the Committee of Selection put out —this takes in the point of the noble Lord, Lord Foulkes, as well. The Committee of Selection,

“has agreed that, for newly appointed members of committees, service in the remainder of this session will not be counted towards the rotation rule, unless the session extends beyond 1 January 2020”.

As for a general election, the noble Baroness is correct that membership would be done anew from there.

[Baroness Butler-Sloss (CB)]

Can the noble Lord deal with the issue of how it was generally the practice for Back-Benchers to be appointed to committees, but it appears that a number of Front-Benchers are now being appointed? Is that a change of practice and, if so, is it a good idea?

[The Senior Deputy Speaker]

No, it is essentially for Back-Benchers. That is the thrust of the work of the Committee of Selection.