House of Lords: Peerages

Lord Brooke of Alverthorpe Excerpts

Monday 19th July 2010 Lords Chamber

[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.

[Lord Brooke of Alverthorpe]

My Lords, is it not possible that, in the event of a partially or wholly elected House, the criteria currently used by the commission could be used by the parties to endeavour to select people of equal calibre?

[Lord Taylor of Holbeach]

We would like to think that nominations, at least from this side of the House, are already made on merit.