House of Lords: Membership

Lord Boston of Faversham Excerpts

Monday 14th March 2011 Lords Chamber

[Lord Boston of Faversham]

My Lords—

[Baroness Anelay of St Johns]

My Lords, there is time. We have had a question from the Cross Benches. Perhaps we might hear from the Liberal Democrats first and then the Cross Benches.

[Lord Strathclyde]

My Lords, that is an interesting proposition and it will no doubt be dealt with in the forthcoming White Paper.

[Lord Boston of Faversham]

My Lords, does the noble Lord the Leader of the House agree that it would not be possible for the right honourable gentleman the Prime Minister to sit in this House because he is already a Member of another place? Does he therefore accept that the noble Lord, Lord Lamont, should be allowed to amend his Question slightly proposing that a Prime Minister—I emphasise “a”—should be allowed to sit in this House? I say that even though I do not agree with the idea of an elected House of Lords.

[Lord Strathclyde]

My Lords, all things are possible but that is not part of the Government’s proposals.