HC Deb 06 December 2001 vol 376 c466W
Mr. Gordon Prentice

To ask the President of the Council what recent discussions the House of Lords Appointments Commission had concerning the criteria they use for selecting people's peers with the objective of making the House of Lords more representative. [20408]

Mr. Robin Cook

I understand that the Appointments Commission asked for feedback on the criteria which it used for its first round of appointments. It has considered responses to this request, and has concluded that the criteria it originally adopted remain relevant. The commission's criteria are set out on its website www.houseoflordsappointmentscommission.gov.uk.

Mr. Gordon Prentice

To ask the President of the Council how many civil servants and at what grade are working(a) full-time and (b) part-time for the House of Lords Appointments Commission. [20406]

Mr. Robin Cook

I understand that one member of the senior civil service works part-time for the House of Lords Appointments Commission. One other member of staff works full-time at Cabinet Office range A level. There is a full-time administrative support post which is currently vacant.

Mr. Gordon Prentice

To ask the President of the Council how many days per month members of the House of Lords Appointments Commission devote to their Commission duties. [20407]

Mr. Robin Cook

I understand that on average the members of the House of Lords Appointments Commission devote two to three days a month to their duties.

Mr. Gordon Prentice

To ask the President of the Council when the printed version of the annual report for 2000 of the House of Lords Appointments Commission will be lodged in the Library. [20404]

Mr. Robin Cook

I understand that the House of Lords Appointments Commission's annual report will be lodged in the Library when it is published in the new year. The report will cover the period May 2000 (when the Commission was set up) to November 2001.