§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Prime Minister if he will make it his policy to exclude from membership of the House of Lords those persons who are not resident in the United Kingdom for tax purposes. [154243]
§ The Prime Minister[holding answer 16 March 2001]: As the Government made clear in their White Paper "Modernising Parliament Reforming the House of Lords" (Cm 4183), I have relinquished much of my power over the award of peerages. I have retained the right to determine how many recommendations to ask for from the other political parties and the Appointments Commission, but otherwise have made it clear that I will pass these recommendations on to Her Majesty, except in the most exceptional circumstances such as those endangering the security of the realm.