HL Deb 10 May 2001 vol 625 cc242-3WA
Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay

asked Her Majesty's Government:

On what grounds the Prime Minister will recommend the appointment of non-party political life peers in addition to those recommended by the House of Lords Appointments Commission; and [HL1962]

Which offices now entitle their holders, on retirement, to a recommendation for life peerage from the Prime Minister outside the new channels of the House of Lords Appointments Commission. [HL1963]

The Lord Privy Seal (Baroness Jay of Paddington)

After consultation with the House of Lords Appointments Commission, the Prime Minister has decided that a limited number of holders of very high office may be recommended direct to The Queen by him. The list of postholders considered in this way very much depends on the judgment of the Prime Minister of the day and on the qualities of each individual.