HL Deb 05 December 2002 vol 641 cc127-8WA
Lord Fearn

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What recommendations have been made by the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission investigation into compulsory voting [HL201]

The likely strength of these four groupings over the next 30 years is set out in the attached table. In fact, however, there are presently in the House of Lords in addition to life peers, 92 hereditary peers, of whom 90 break down as follows:

  • Conservative 49
  • Labour 4
  • Liberal Democrat 5
  • Cross-Bench 32

The Lord Chancellor

The noble Lord may wish to write to the Chairman of the Electoral Commission on this matter. My department has no responsibility for the Speaker's Committee or for the activities of the Electoral Commission. Under the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000, the Speaker's Committee is required to report to the House of Commons on the exercise by it of the functions conferred on it by that Act. The committee's first report was laid before the House of Commons on 28 November.

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