House of Lords: Peerages

Lord Bishop of Chichester Excerpts

Monday 19th July 2010 Lords Chamber

[Lord Taylor of Holbeach]

My Lords, I agree with my noble friend. One of the great successes of this House is the expertise that comes in through the Cross Benchers. One has only to look around at the Cross Benches, in particular, to realise the variety of walks of life from which they come. That adds greatly to our debate and I hope that that tradition will continue. The House should pay tribute to the Appointments Commission. Three noble Lords will be retiring this autumn: the noble Baroness, Lady Dean of Thornton-le-Fylde, the noble Lord, Lord Dholakia, and the noble Lord, Lord Hurd of Westwell. Their contribution has been remarkable. One has only to look to see the end product.

[The Lord Bishop of Chichester]

My Lords, is the Minister aware of the negative impact that a wholly or partially elected House would have on precisely the range of expertise to which he has paid such eloquent tribute?

[Lord Taylor of Holbeach]

There are at least two members of the all-party Joint Committee on House of Lords Reform either side of me. I am sure that they are very much aware of the role of the Cross Benches and, indeed, the Episcopal Bench in this House. Although I cannot anticipate, I would imagine that that must be one thing that it will be bearing in mind.