HL Deb 13 May 2002 vol 635 cc1-2WA
Lord Jacobs

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Chancellor on 25 April (WA 45) what qualities or qualifications distinguished the 51 applicants to the House of Lords Appointments Commission who were selected for interview from the 3,115 who were not? [HL4065]

The Lord Chancellor

As published in its information pack for prospective applicants, the commission applied the following criteria in considering nominations:

the ability to demonstrate outstanding personal qualities, in particular integrity and independence;

a strong personal commitment to the principles and highest standards of public life;

a record of significant achievement within their chosen field that demonstrates a range of experience, skills and competencies;

the ability to make an effective and significant contribution to the work of the House of Lords;

some understanding of the constitutional framework, including the place of the House of Lords and the skills and qualities needed to be an effective Member of the House;

the time available to ensure that they can make an effective contribution within the procedures and working practices of the House; and

independence from any political party.

I understand that the 51 people the commission interviewed were those whom it judged, on the basis of their nomination forms and CVs, to be the most outstanding against its published assessment criteria.