Baroness WARD of NORTH TYNESIDEMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
The Question was as follows:
To ask the Chairman of Committees on what principles Lords are chosen to sit as members of Select Committees on opposed Private Bills.
§ The Earl of LISTOWELMy Lords, Select Committees on opposed Private Bills are quasi-judicial in character: that is to say, Committees which reach a decision after hearing argument and evidence submitted by the Promoters and opponents of the Bill. The principle followed in appointing members of these Committees is to ensure so far as possible that members have no interest 1884 in the purposes of the Bill. This would normally be taken to include a substantial financial interest or a local interest.
Baroness WARD of NORTH TYNESIDEMy Lords, while thanking the noble Earl very much for that Answer and for all the help he has given to me, may I ask whether he can very kindly say whether Members of your Lordships' House or of another place are allowed, if they so desire, to attend before a Committee and ask questions?
§ The Earl of LISTOWELMy Lords, in the case of Committees on opposed Private Bills, which are the Committees with which the Question is concerned, noble Lords do not attend the Committees and ask questions unless, of course, they are members of the Committees concerned.
§ Lord HAILSHAM of SAINT MARYLEBONEMy Lords, is the noble Earl aware that this whole House and the public owe an immense debt of gratitude to those noble Lords who undertake this onerous and unpaid form of public service?
§ The Earl of LISTOWELMy Lords, I am most grateful to the noble and learned Lord for what he has said. I shall certainly draw his words to the attention of those who serve on such Committees.