HL Deb 17 July 2003 vol 651 cc147-8WA
Lord Hogg

asked Her Majesty's Government:

When they expect to lay the first report of the House of Lords Appointment Commission for 2000–03 before Parliament. [HL4075]

Lord Williams of Mostyn

The Prime Minister has today received the first report of the House of Lords Appointments Commission. The report covers the commission's first term from May 2000 to May 2003. Copies have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

The Prime Minister is grateful to the commission for finding, in fulfilment of its remit, people of distinction whom it has recommended on merit.

The Prime Minister shall be inviting the commission to recommend a small number of non-party-political Peers, as well as reporting on the propriety of any party working Peers who are recommended, while discussion on the reform of the House of Lords continues.

Accordingly, after following the standard procedures set by the Commissioner for Public Appointments, the Prime Minister has reappointed the chairman and independent members of the commission for further terms of three years, subject to continued discussion on the reform of the House of Lords, not least following the initial response to the Joint Committee report. The Prime Minister has also placed in the Libraries of both Houses his letter to the Chairman.

Pursuant to the Prime Minister's answers on 19 May to the honourable Member for Pendle (Mr Prentice) (Official Report, Commons; cols. 536–537W), the Prime Minister would like to clarify that the House of Lords Appointments Commission does come within the remit of the Commissioner for Public Appointments and appointments to the commission are made in accordance with her code of practice.