HL Deb 11 June 2002 vol 636 c130

2.51 p.m.

Lord Lucas

asked the Leader of the House:

What accommodation, staff and other facilities will be offered to elected Members of the House.

The Lord Privy Seal (Lord Williams of Mostyn)

My Lords, this is a hypothetical question, and none the worse for that. We do not know whether there will be any elected Members. The Government have asked Parliament to consider further reform of the House of Lords. The terms of reference of the Joint Committee ask it to consider and report on a full range of options for composition. Therefore, the facilities available to new Members would be a matter for the House to decide.

Lord Lucas

My Lords, I am grateful for that Answer. Does the noble and learned Lord, whose energy in reforming this House and in making it a more effective place is second to none, consider that matters would be greatly improved if research assistants were available, at least to the Front Bench, to enable it properly to prepare and execute its duties in Committee and at other stages of Bills in this House?

Lord Williams of Mostyn

My Lords, that is a reasonable point. Those matters are kept constantly under review.

Earl Ferrers

My Lords, perhaps I may ask the noble and learned Lord why lie thinks that that is a hypothetical Question. Is he unaware of the fact that there are already elected Members in this House?

Lord Williams of Mostyn

My Lords, I thought they were the elite of God, not elected.