HL Deb 08 February 2000 vol 609 cc77-8WA
Lord Mackay, of Ardbrecknish

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the House of Lords Appointments Commission will be statutory, as recommended by the Royal Commission on the Reform of the House of Lords. [HL771]

Baroness Jay of Paddington

The Government have consistently made clear that the Appointments Commission for the transitional House will be non-statutory. The recommendation of the Royal Commission for a rather different Appointments Commission with significantly more powers in relation to political members of the second Chamber makes no difference to our assessment of the situation in the context of the transitional House. The Government will make clear their views on the proposals of the Royal Commission in due course.

Lord Mackay of Ardbrecknish

asked the Leader of the House:

What role she envisages for the House of Lords in decisions on the establishment of the House of Lords Appointments Commission and the conduct of its duties. [HL772]

Baroness Jay of Paddington

None. The functions which the Appointments Commission will be taking over from the Prime Minister are functions in which the House of Lords has no locus.