Question

To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker what was the approximate number of Noble Lords attending the State Opening of Parliament on 7 November; and whether this represents the greatest number on record.

The number of Peers attending the Chamber for the State Opening of Parliament is not recorded; but all of the approximately 180 available spaces for Members of the House were occupied for the State Opening this year. This figure does not include 14 Lords spiritual or eight members of the House who were either part of the procession or hold certain offices and were present in the Chamber due to the offices they hold. We do not have records to say how this compares to previous State Openings.