§ Lord Howell of Guildfordasked the Leader of the House:
What role Members of the House of Lords will play in the Standing Committee on the Convention on the Future of Europe proposed by the Leader of the House of Commons. [HL4670]
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§ The Minister for Trade (Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean)Members of the House of Lords will be able to attend the Standing Committee, ask questions and contribute to debate. In addition, the two Members who are alternate representatives at the convention will be able to make statements to the new committee and answer questions. While there will be some procedural limitations on Members of this House (they will not be entitled to vote, move any Motion or count towards the quorum) these limitations would not prevent either the alternates from reporting or other Members of this House from debating the issues considered at the convention.
§ Lord Howell of Guildfordasked the Leader of the House:
Whether the proposal tabled by the Leader of the House of Commons for a Standing Committee on the Convention on the Future of Europe will operate under House of Commons rules or House of Lords rules. [HL4671]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanThe committee will operate under House of Commons rules.
§ Lord Howell of Guildfordasked the Leader of the House:
Whether Members of the House of Lords will receive notice of timings of meetings, place of meetings and minutes in relation to the Standing Committee on the Convention on the Future of Europe proposed by the Leader of the House of Commons. [HL4672]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanMembers of the House of Lords will receive notice of the meetings of this committee as they do of other House committees—i.e. in the minutes of proceedings; in the Committee Office Weekly Agenda (available from the PPO); by way of daily committee broadsheets posted around the House and on the screen in the Central Lobby; and on the website. Members of the European Union Committee will also receive notice directly from their clerk. Any other Member wishing to receive information about the meetings of this committee directly (either on paper or by email) is invited to contact the Clerk of the European Union Committee on extension 6083.
§ Lord Howell of Guildfordasked Her Majesty's Government:
How they propose to contribute to the work of the proposed Standing Committee on the Convention on the Future of Europe in which Members of the House of Lords are invited to participate. [HL4673]
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§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanThe primary purpose of the Standing Committee is to allow the parliamentary representatives to the convention to report back to Parliament about the work of the convention. The Government stand ready to assist the committee in its work, once it has constituted itself and considered what further contributions it would wish.