Privileges and Conduct Committee

Viscount Simon Excerpts

Thursday 9th February 2017 Lords Chamber

[The Senior Deputy Speaker]

It would allow the police to continue their investigation, but there has been experience in the past where the commissioner has had to pause an investigation because of a concurrent police investigation. In one case—I am trying to remember off the top of my head—that was 16 months. The commissioner was not able to go back it for that time. So the proposal is that the commissioner looks at the issue and collects evidence and when the police report they have a fresh understanding of what has been happening can pursue it further. Previously the commissioner had to suspend their investigation, perhaps for 16 months, and then go back and find that the information was a bit dated and that people could not recall things as sharply. For that reason we discussed this with the commissioner and the new proposal was put forward.

[Viscount Simon (Lab)]

I have just one further question, purely for clarification, following my noble friend’s question. If a room is booked for one hour and the meeting takes five minutes, does the Member have to stay there for 55 remaining minutes?

[The Senior Deputy Speaker]

I would not think so. If anything, common sense prevails in this House—and I will make sure that that is undertaken.