§ Lord Pearson of Rannochasked the Chairman of Committees:
When the Sub-Committee on Lords' Interests will report whether Members who are or have been employees of the European Union should declare that fact when speaking in debates about the United Kingdom's relationship with the European Union. [HL1274]
§ The Chairman of Committees (Lord Brabazon of Tara)The Sub-Committee on Lords' Interests completed its deliberations before Christmas, except on the issues raised about Members of the House who are or have been employees of the European Union. It was considered that these issues gave rise to difficult legal questions on which there were conflicting views, and it was agreed that Lord Browne-Wilkinson, Chairman of the Sub-Committee and a former Lord of Appeal in Ordinary, should write a formal legal opinion on these questions. It is expected that he will complete his work shortly and then submit it to the Sub-Committee. The Sub-Committee's report is expected to be presented to the Committee for Privileges as soon as possible after that.