Introductions

Baroness Smith of Basildon Excerpts

Wednesday 22nd April 2026 Lords Chamber

Moved by

[Baroness Smith of Basildon]

That notwithstanding the practice of the House on introductions, a Peer who has sat in the House as an excepted hereditary peer pursuant to section 2 of the House of Lords Act 1999 may sit by virtue of a life peerage without introduction.

[The Lord Privy Seal (Baroness Smith of Basildon) (Lab)]

My Lords, as the House is aware, three sitting hereditary Peers have received life peerages and a further limited number will receive life peerages in a future list. The purpose of the Motion is to allow any existing hereditary Peer who has received or will receive a life peerage to take their seat to continue to sit in the House without a full introduction ceremony. This mirrors the Motion moved by Lord Williams of Mostyn in 1999. As in 1999, the change has the approval of His Majesty the King.

On the practicalities, if the Motion is agreed today, any hereditary Peer granted a life peerage will be required to take the oath and sign the roll to undertake to abide by the code, but the full ceremony of introduction, including robes, the involvement of Garter and supporters, and the reading of Letters Patent will not take place. Again, this mirrors the situation from 1999. This meets the best interests of the House as a whole and of the individual hereditary Peers concerned. I beg to move.

Motion agreed.