HL Deb 13 January 1997 vol 577 c14WA
Lord Lester of Herne Hill

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they consider that there is a constitutional convention as to the period of time within which a by-election should be declared on the death or resignation of a Member of Parliament; and if so, whether they will explain the nature of that convention.

Baroness Blatch:

The present convention on the timing of Parliamentary by-elections rests on the recommended guidelines agreed by the Speaker's Conference on Electoral Law in 1973. These cover the period to be allowed for the motion moving the writ for the election following the date of the vacancy. Details were published in the letter dated 26th November 1973 which Mr Speaker Selwyn Lloyd sent to the Prime Minister. It was published by HMSO under Cmnd5500 and a copy is available in the House of Lords Library.

Lord Lester of Herne Hill

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What has been the period of time between the death, resignation or retirement of a Member of Parliament and the declaration of a by-election for each by-election during the past 10 years.

Baroness Blatch:

The information requested is available in the House of Commons Library Research Paper 96/50, which covers by-elections since the 1992 general election, and in Public Information Office Factsheets 27 and 58, covering, respectively, the periods 1983 to 1987, and 1987 to 1992. These papers are available to noble Lords through the House of Lords Library.

Research Paper 96/50 does not include the most recent by-election, which was held in the constituency of Barnsley East on 12th December. This followed the death of the sitting Member, Mr Terry Patchett, on 11th October 1996.