Work of the House of Lords · Olympian, aimed to regulate ticket touting in order to prevent buyers...

Work of the House of Lords2014–15

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Contents

Work of the House of Lords 1Making effective laws 2Looking at the small print 12Holding the government to account 14Influencing public policy 24Building international relationships 34Reaching out 36Facts and figures 38

The 2014-15 parliamentary session ran from 4 June 2014 to 30 March 2015.

During this period, the House of Lords spent 126 days working to check the details in draft laws (bills), question government action and debate policy.

Members examined 68 bills, considered 3,449 changes and made 1,257 of them. In total, 36 bills were made law. Extensive scrutiny work was carried out, with members asking the government 6,394 questions and holding 188 debates.

Lords investigative committees produced 27 reports. One-off committees were set up to look into the Arctic, affordable childcare, digital skills and extradition law.

Work of the House of Lords The House of Lords is the second chamber of the UK Parliament and one of the busiest legislative chambers in the world. Its members work on behalf of the UK public, using their professional experience and specialist knowledge to ensure workable laws, often persuading the government to make policy changes on a diverse range of issues.

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Creating lawThe House of Lords shares responsibility for lawmaking with the House of Commons. Prior to becoming Acts of Parliament, bills are debated and checked by both Houses. Bills go through set stages in both Houses, where their purpose and detail can be examined, before they receive royal assent (formal agreement from the Queen) and become Acts of Parliament (law).

The House of Lords checks the detail of a bill, working to address potential problems and close any loopholes to make more effective laws. Its amendments may or may not be agreed by the House of Commons, but the House of Lords has a crucial role to play in asking the government and the Commons to think again and, in some cases, putting forward alternative amendments in response.

2014-15 sessionDuring the session, 36 bills received royal assent, passing into law.

Making effective laws

Parliament’s main role is to examine bills and approve new laws. The Lords plays a crucial role in the process, debating the main principles, checking content line by line and suggesting changes. Members also help to ensure that all new laws are well drafted, effective and workable.

68 bills checked

3,449 changes considered

1,257 changes made

36 bills became law


In the 2014-15 session, Parliament checked and approved bills affecting a broad range of people and policy areas. The House of Lords played its part by scrutinising the bills carefully and using its powers to persuade the government and the Commons to agree to a variety of changes. Three bills are described below.

Consumer Rights Act 2015The government introduced this bill to bring together and update the fragmented framework of consumer rights.

Members discussed in detail a broad range of issues of concern, including the regulation of payday lenders and online access by children to adult services. In response to concerns expressed, the government agreed to make a number of changes to the bill, for example in relation to:• theregulationofpremiumratephoneservices• thecosttoconsumersofreturning

rejected goods.

Scrutinising, advising and revising

It also agreed to an independent review of the recall of appliances that are discovered to have dangerous electrical faults.

The government responded to representations by several members who previously served as senior judges, by making changes to the system for appointing judges to the Competition Appeal Tribunal.

Regulation of ticket toutsOther Lords amendments, put forward by a former Olympian, aimed to regulate ticket touting in order to prevent buyers from being conned. The amendments required certain information to be printed on all tickets, including the original face value and the location of the seat. The amendments were supported by former leading sports professionals and accepted by the House after a vote. The Commons voted against the Lords amendments and offered an alternative package. After further debates and extensive discussions, an enhanced version of the original Lords amendments was accepted.

Under new legislation passed by the Lords, people re-selling tickets in the secondary market will be regulated more closely... if you can’t make that Taylor Swift gig and you put it on a resale site you’ll probably have to put your name, seat number and how much you paid for it. Fail to do that and you could be committing a criminal offence.BBC Newsbeat

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in a secure college would require further approval from Parliament.

In July 2015 it was reported that the government had decided not to proceed with plans to build a secure college.

In a separate development, a backbench member was able to achieve a change in the law so that arrested 17 year-olds will in future be treated as children rather than adults for the purposes of detention.

Judicial reviewThe bill sought to modify the system of judicial review by obliging courts not to allow applications to proceed in certain circumstances (for example if the outcome of the process in dispute would probably have been the same even if it had been conducted correctly) and by making new provision about the payment of costs. Some members argued that they would, without good reason, damage an important way of holding the government to account. Amendments were supported by senior lawyers in the House, including practising QCs and those who formerly served in the offices of Lord Chancellor, Lord Chief Justice and President of the Supreme Court. The House voted to approve amendments that sought to retain more discretion for judges. After further exchanges between the two Houses, compromises were reached on the disputed issues.

Modern Slavery Act 2015The government brought forward this bill in order to crack down on modern slavery and human trafficking by, among other things, increasing the penalties available, introducing new preventative orders, and establishing the office of the Independent Anti-slavery Commissioner. The bill had already benefited from being examined in draft by a joint committee of both Houses, which led to a number of improvements being made. Following its passage through the Commons, the bill reached the Lords where it attracted widespread interest from a cross-section of the membership, including experts in children’s issues, social policy, human rights, ethical trade, race issues, medicine and the law.

The House’s scrutiny of the bill was notable for the high level of cooperation between parties and with non-governmental organisations, which resulted in the government making a considerable number of further changes. For example:• modificationstotheprovisionsrequiringcertain

companies to disclose what, if any, steps they are taking to ensure there is no slavery or trafficking in their business or supply chains: the amendments provided further detail on what the statements should include, and required that they be approved at board level

• enhancingtheindependenceandpowersoftheIndependent Anti-slavery Commissioner.

Numerous amendments were also made in response to the report of the House’s Delegated Powers Committee, which considers and makes recommendations on provisions which grant powers to ministers.

Overseas domestic workersThe House agreed one amendment opposed by the government, which would have increased the ability of overseas domestic workers to change their employer. The government had argued that such workers were protected by existing UK employment law and the national referral mechanism, and called for the House to await the outcome of a review of overseas domestic visas. The Commons disagreed to the amendment but proposed alternative amendments in its place, which were agreed to by the Lords on a vote.

Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015This bill set out to amend various aspects of the criminal justice system and of the judicial review process, which allows actions of public authorities to be challenged before a court. Some aspects of the bill proved controversial and a total of 510 amendments were proposed, of which 152 were made.

Secure collegesThe government, aiming to increase the focus on education in youth custody, sought a power to provide for ‘secure colleges’. A number of members, including a former HM Chief Inspector of Prisons, expressed concerns about the proposals, including:• thelackofdetailabouthowthecollegeswould

work, for example in respect of the curriculum and the use of ‘reasonable force’

• thecostofthecolleges• theconsequencesofmixingyoungoffendersof

different ages and genders in the colleges.

The government responded to some of these concerns by agreeing to increase parliamentary scrutiny of the rules by which secure colleges will be run. The House nonetheless voted to approve an amendment which excluded girls and women, and boys under 15 years old, from being placed in a secure college. At first the Commons rejected the change, but following further debates a compromise was reached so that putting those groups of people

8 | Work of the House of Lords

More public bill sessional statistics, including a breakdown of amendments by stage, grand committee proceedings and details of all bills receiving royal assent, can be found at www.parliament.uk/lords.

Public legislation 2014–15

Government BillsArmed Forces (Service Complaints and Financial Assistance) 29 – –Infrastructure 363 121 –Insurance 28 15 –Serious Crime 198 100 – Total 618 236 –

Bills introduced in the House of Lords

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Private Members’ BillsAbortion Act 1967 (Amendment) – –Arbitration and Mediation Services (Equality) – –Armed Forces Deployment (Royal Prerogative) – –Assisted Dying 17* 2BBC (Trustee Election and Licence Fee) – –Chancel Repairs – –Cohabitation Rights – –Council Tax Valuation Bands – –Divorce (Financial Provision) 28 28Duchy of Cornwall – –Employment Practices – –Equality Act 2010 (Amendment) – –European Union (Information, etc.) – –European Union (Withdrawal) – –Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011 (Repeal) – –Governance of Sport – –High-cost Credit Agreements (Advertising Restrictions) – –House of Lords (Expulsion and Suspension) 5 5Land Value Tax – –Leader of the House of Lords – –Licensing Act 2003 (Amendment) – –Medical Innovation 56 22Mesothelioma (Amendment) – –Mutuals’ Deferred Shares 19 19Online Safety – –Parliamentary Privilege (Defamation) – –Prime Minister (Limitation of Period of Office) – –Public Advocate – –Regulation of Political Opinion Polling – –Right to Die at Home – –Succession to Peerages – –Voter Registration – –Voting Age (Comprehensive Reduction) – –Welfare of Cats – – Total 125 76

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* This is the number of amendments that were considered after 2 days in committee; 261 amendments were tabled in total.


Government Bills Childcare Payments – – –Consumer Rights 272 81 1Corporation Tax (Northern Ireland) – – –Counter-Terrorism and Security 241 43 –Criminal Justice and Courts 510 152 4Data Retention and Investigatory Powers 4 – –Deregulation 314 135 1Finance – – –Finance (No. 2) – – –House of Commons Commission – – –Lords Spiritual (Women) – – –Modern Slavery 304 101 1National Insurance Contributions 8 5 –Pension Schemes 164 119 –Recall of MPs 112 34 –Small Business, Enterprise and Employment 547 238 –Social Action, Responsibility and Heroism 26 2 –Stamp Duty Land Tax – – –Supply and Appropriation (Anticipation and Adjustments) – – –Supply and Appropriation (Main Estimates) – – –Taxation of Pensions – – –Wales 97 17 – Total 2,599 927 7

Private Members’ Bills Control of Horses – –Health and Social Care (Safety and Quality) 10 –Health Service Commissioner for England (Complaint Handling) – –International Development (Official Development Assistance Target) 54 –Local Government (Religious etc. Observances) 19 –Local Government (Review of Decisions) – –Self-build and Custom Housebuilding – –Specialist Printing Equipment and Materials (Offences) – –

Total 83 –

Bills brought from the House of Commons

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Acts of Parliament set out the key aims of legislation. Delegated legislation – also known as secondary or subordinate legislation – fills in the practical measures needed for a law to operate in the way the Act intended. Details, such as the level of fee to be charged or safety standards for a product, are set out in regulations, orders or rules, which are known generally as statutory instruments (SIs).

Quality controlSIs can be more easily updated than primary legislation (that is, Acts of Parliament) because they are subject to a simpler scrutiny process.

Although the power to make SIs is delegated to ministers, about a third are subject to some form of parliamentary scrutiny. This is particularly important where they make major policy changes. For example, in 2014-15, SIs were laid that:• reformedtheelectricitymarket• bannedsmokingincarswhenchildren

are present• introducedachargeforplasticcarrierbags• standardisedpackagingoftobaccoproducts.

Looking at the small print

The House of Lords has two committees dedicated to this area of legislation, each focusing on a different stage in the legislative process:• DelegatedPowersandRegulatoryReform

Committee• SecondaryLegislationScrutinyCommittee.

Before an Act is made: deciding the level of scrutinyTheDelegatedPowersandRegulatoryReformCommittee examines the text of all bills before they go forward for detailed consideration in the Lords to ensure that any power they give to ministers to make SIs is an appropriate delegation and that it is subject to the appropriate level of parliamentary scrutiny. This committee has earned a formidable reputation as a ‘watchdog’ and the government pays close attention to its recommendations.

After an Act is made: quality controlThe Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee considers all SIs laid before the House to assess whether they seem likely to achieve their stated policy objective. Through its weekly reports, the committee draws particularly interesting, potentially defective or poorly explained SIs to the attention of the House, so that members can ask a question or request a debate on the matter.

In 2014-15, it made influential reports on: • IVFusinggeneticmaterialfromthreepeople• theUK’sopt-intoEUjusticemeasures• constructiondesignandmanagement.

It also examined a number of Public Bodies Orders to abolish or merge public bodies, in particular the abolition of the Library Advisory Council.

There is also a joint committee (Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments) with members from both Houses which looks at the legal drafting of SIs to see if the law is correctly written and fits within the scope of the Act under which they are made.

19 bills reported

33 reports to the House on SIs

1,153 SIs examined

89 SIs drawn to the attention of the House


QuestionsA 30-minute question time takes place at the start of business in the chamber from Monday to Thursday. A maximum of four questions are posed by members. They can be on any subject – local, national or international – for which the government is responsible.

Once the government spokesperson has answered, there is then a chance for a short exchange of related, or ‘supplementary’, questions. The government spokesperson must answer each one. Questions may also be asked in writing and the government must respond within ten working days.

DebatesDebates allow members to put their experience to good use by drawing the government’s attention to particular concerns and issues. At the end of every debate, a government minister or spokesperson responds to the questions and issues that have been raised.

The diversity of the membership of the House of Lords is reflected in the range of subjects covered, and debates in the Lords can play an important role in shaping future policy initiatives and legislation. By way of example, three debates are described on pages 16-19. A full list of topics is on pages 20-23.

StatementsThe government makes statements in the chamber to announce important policy initiatives and report on national and international issues. Statements are usually made in both Houses and are followed in the Lords by the opportunity for members to ask questions and make observations. Ministers may also make written statements.

Holding the government to account

Around 40 per cent of time in the chamber is spent holding the government to account for its decisions and actions. This is done through questions and debates to which ministers and government spokespeople must respond.

444 oral questions

5,943 written questions

71 oral statements

903 written statements


Early years interventionMembers of the Lords, including sociologists, scientists and former teachers, debated the case for early years intervention in breaking the cycle of deprivation and promoting social mobility.

Members highlighted the importance of early years (children five and under) development and argued that intervention at this stage of life is key to improving health, wellbeing and social competence in adulthood.

Key stages of brain development during early years were highlighted by some scientists and members stressed that while intervention during early years is important, it should be followed by intervention at other stages for it to be effective and policies in this area should stretch across school years as a whole.

Funding The issue of funding was raised, with some members arguing that investment in early years intervention would avoid larger sums of expenditure to tackle problems such as obesity and mental health problems in adults.

Debates

Access Members looked at access to childcare, and identified that the positive impact of early years education is more pronounced for children from less educated, lower income groups or families whereEnglishisasecondlanguage,butthese are often the groups with the poorest access to provision. Members made arguments to improve access to early years education for those most at risk.

A government spokesperson responded and agreed early years provision has benefits for all-round attainment and behaviour, and the lower participation rates of poorer children is a concern. He highlighted that the government has increased free early education entitlement and invested in programmes to tackle the participation gap.

Sociologists, scientists and teachers highlighted the importance of early years intervention as key to improving health and competence in adulthood.

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Russia and former Soviet StatesMembers, including a former foreign secretary and a former head of the Foreign Office, debated theroleofRussiaandthestatesoftheformerSoviet Union in upholding international law and democratic principles.

Concern was raised over heightened nationalism andhumanrightsviolationsinRussiaandactionagainst neighbouring states with the invasion and occupation of Crimea. Members also highlighted new laws designed to suppress media freedom and other aspects of oppression of civil society, including theimprisonmentofcriticsofRussia’sleaders.

MemberssaidRussiancooperationwithregardtogas and oil was crucial, and that the global oil price wouldbethebiggestfactorinchangingRussianforeign policy towards Ukraine and the West. Additionally, peers felt the UK must maintain open channels for dialogue and negotiation with regard to breachesofinternationallaw,inparticularRussia’srecent actions in Ukraine.

The government said its focus was on steps to de-escalate the crisis and enable Ukraine to prosper as an independent state and that it was committed to continuing dialogue to reduce tensions.

Assisted Dying Bill This was a private member’s bill, introduced by a former Lord Chancellor. It sought to enable competent adults who are terminally ill to be provided, at their request, with assistance to end their own life. Many members took part in the key debate, known as a second reading debate, on this bill. A second reading debate is a chance for members to set out their views on a bill’s proposals and indicate changes they would like to see.

Many lawyers, including human rights lawyers and a former justice of the Supreme Court, doctors, former police officers, a psychiatry professor, religious representatives and medical experts took part in this debate – often with examples of the personal experiences of friends and relations at the end of life.

Individual choiceThere was broad agreement for the idea that care at the end of life should accommodate an individual’s wishes and general consensus that patients should be able to choose: • whatmedicalinterventiontheyreceive• wheretheydie–athome,inahospital

or hospice • whotheyarewith–family,friends,

healthcare professionals.

Developments in careDevelopments in palliative care, the hospice movement and charity campaigns were praised and members paid tribute to professionals who work to alleviate end of life suffering.

DisagreementThere were different views across the House on the bill’s proposals for assisted dying. Many believed the current law is not working well, resulting in profound dilemmas and unnecessary suffering for some terminally ill people and their families, and (for those able to afford it) UK citizens travelling to Switzerland (where assisted dying is legal) to end their life. These members argued that, despite the difficulties in getting the right law, it was necessary to tackle it.

Many members, some with medical backgrounds and religious beliefs, argued there were inadequate safeguards in the bill. They highlighted the vulnerability of a person at the end of their life, saying that people, particularly those suffering with mental health issues, needed to be protected and supported at this time.

The government spokesperson said that it was a matter of personal conscience and an issue for Parliament to decide. The bill failed to complete all its stages before the session ended. Debate on the law continues and another private member’s bill by the same name has been introduced in the 2015-16 session.


•Workingconditionsinthecaresector

•Artseducationinschools

•ReligionandbeliefinBritishpubliclife

December 2014

•Sportgovernance

•Autumnstatement,economicgrowthand

support for business

•Softpowerinconflictprevention

•Waste:stimulatingabioeconomy*

•Globaldevelopmentgoalsin2015

•Economicleadershipforcities

•RoleofnationalparliamentsintheEU*

January 2015

•HouseofLords:numberofmembers

•FutureoftheNHS

•Earlyyearsintervention

•Mentalhealthcare

•Naturalenvironment

•Transport:nationalnetworks

•Broadcastgeneralelectiondebates*

•Localgovernmentfinancesettlement

•InvestmentandplanningforUKinfrastructure

•RecognitionofthestateofPalestine

June 2014

•Tourismandhospitality

•Englishparishchurches

•YouthunemploymentintheEU*

•PersonalServiceCompanies*

•TransatlanticTradeandInvestmentPartnership

•FutureoftheHouseofLords

•Roleofthearmedforces

•ConstitutionalimplicationsofScottish

independence referendum*

•SecurityandpoliticsinIraq

•CentenaryofWorldWar1

•Abuseofchildrenandvulnerableadults

•Roleofvoluntaryandcharitablesectors

July 2014

•GenuineEconomicandMonetaryUnion*

•Investmentintheruraleconomy

•Strengtheningthemanufacturingsector

•RoleofBBCWorldServiceandBritishCouncil

•DraftFinanceBill*

•EU:UKjusticeandhomeaffairsopt-outs*

•EUCommittee*

Generaldebates2014–15

•Roleofagricultureandfoodindustry

in the economy

•UniversalDeclarationofHumanRights

September 2014

•DevelopmentsinIraq

October 2014

•Government’sSocialJusticeStrategy

•Russia:internationallawanddemocraticprinciples

•Improvingalternativestouniversity

•ConstructionindustryandUKeconomy

•Scottishdevolution

November 2014

•Economicimpactofshalegas*

•Governmentspending:lowincomeand

vulnerable consumers

•Womenfacinghomelessness,domesticviolence

and social exclusion

•UNConventionoftheRightsoftheChildand

young people online

•Azurecard

•Schoolreforms

•GovernmentsupportforUKexports

March 2015

•Economicempowermentofwomen

•MentalCapacityAct2005*

•UKsoftpower*

•Affordablechildcare*

•Internationalscience,technology,engineering

and maths students*

•EuropeanPublicProsecutor’sOffice*

•InquiriesAct2005*

•EUandRussia*

•Budgetstatement

* Debate on committee report


October 2014•NHS:cottagehospitals•Onshorewindfarmingin

Northumberland•UKcarindustry•DevelopmentsinHongKong•BosniaandHerzegovinaelection•NorthernIreland:Haasstalks•DevelopmentinMalawi•India:2014generalelection•Nationalplanformusiceducation•Combattingslavery•Involvementoffansinrunning

football clubs

November 2014•EUfoodwasteprevention*•InternationalresponsetoEbola•PreservationofHousesof

Parliament as part of a World Heritage Site

•NHSinnovationandresearchstrategies

•UKflooddefences•India:povertyandcaste

discrimination•ElectoralregistrationofUK

citizens abroad

June 2014•Prematuredeathsofpeople

with learning disabilities •Scottishindependencereferendum•SituationineasternMediterranean

region (Turkey, Cyprus and Syria)•RoleofNHSpatients•JihadismintheMiddleEast•Autonomyandaccountability

of educational institutions•Defibrillatorsinpublicbuilding

first-aid kits•Craftapprenticeships•Localserviceprovisionfor

vulnerable women•HumanrightsinEgypt•PromotingBritishvaluesin

educational establishments•Reducingcustodialsentences

for women•Asylumseekers’righttowork•UNInternationalWidows’Day

July 2014•ChilcotInquiryreport

publication date•SupportingWorldHealth

Organisation to reduce global disease

Short debates 2014–15

•Assistancefordisabledstudents•NHS:bettercarefund•NHS:useofthepolypill•Contributionoftradeunionsto

the economy•Useofbiofuelsforarmedforces•Industrialpolicy:BritishBusinessBank•Roleofbooks•StHelena:newairport•HumanrightsintheRepublic

of Sudan•FutureofCyprus•MobileHomesAct2013•UNCommissionontheStatus

of Women•Dentalimplants•Euroareacrisis*•Improvingcareersguidance

in schools•Helpforlocalmarkets•HumanrightsinNorthKorea•Supportforyoungstrokesurvivors•Organicfood•Architectureandthebuilt

environment•Musiceducationforchildrenwith

physical disabilities •ChannelTunnelsecurity

•WorldWar1commemoration: role of the arts

•Employmentlawandtribunals•20thanniversaryoftheNational

Lottery

December 2014•Electoralconduct•Voluntarysectorreducinghospital

re-admissions•NHS:improvinghealthoflesbian,

bisexual and trans women•HouseofLordsbusiness•Healthandsocialcare:multi-agency

initiatives•Conservationofpeatlands•Tuberculosis:investmentinresearch•SudanandSouthSudanconflicts•Fundingofpoliticalparties•BilateraltradebetweenUKand

Sri Lanka•ReducingtuberculosisintheUK•Drugpolicy•Foodhygieneratingscheme•GlobalFundtoFightAIDS,

Tuberculosis and Malaria•Sharialaw•Femalegenitalmutilation:

prosecutions

January 2015•Medicalcompetenceandskillin

the NHS•LessonslearntfromWestAfricanEbolaoutbreak

•Elderlypeople:preparationforlivingwills and powers of attorney

•Diagnosisandtreatmentofneurofibromatosis type 1

•Mediaplurality•Maternalandneonatalmortalityin

the developing world•Pressuresfacingaccidentand

emergency services•LondonHealthCommission:impact

of smoking on health•Chancelrepairs•Disputedpropertyboundaries•FundingofthecriminalBar•Cadetunitsinschools•Governmentsupportforartists•Health:humanpapillomavirus•Accesstocriminaljusticesystemfor

people with autism•Museumfunding•EritreaandEthiopia

February 2015•Mentalhealthservicesforsign

language users•GrowthofUKsmallbusinesses

•Universalcredit•NHSmaternitycare•Welfareassistanceschemes•Hotelfacilitiesfordisabledpeople•Gambling:fixedoddsbettingmachines•Mentalhealthservices•UKagriculture

March 2015•Treatmentforpatientswith

rare diseases•Varietyanddiversityofindependent

schools•Domesticandmentalabuse•Transport:accidentprevention•HIVandAIDS•Employmentlevelsforolderpeople•Encouragingwomen’sparticipation

in rowing•IsraelandPalestine•AntiphospholipidSyndrome•EUbalancesofcompetencesreview•Dresdenbombing•Youngcareleavers•MoneyAdviceService•Deprivationoflibertysafeguards•Protectionofinterpretersin

conflict zones•Valueofsportsvolunteering•Oilpalmplantations•Useofimmigrationdetention

* Debate on committee report


Committee workCommittees are groups of members, appointed by the House to conduct certain tasks on its behalf, that meet outside the chamber. They consider specific policy areas or issues – ranging from short, narrowly focused investigations to broad, long-term inquiries – and usually produce reports on their findings. Once published, committee reports are normally debated in the House and the government must respond.

Experience of the membershipHouse of Lords committees benefit from the professional experience and knowledge of their members. It is that knowledge which ensures their work carries authority within Parliament and beyond.

Five permanent committeesThere are five main select committees. They develop expertise in particular subject areas – outlined in pages 26 to 33 – and may revisit subjects covered in previous inquiries to assess the impact of their recommendations.

During the 2014–15 session, these committees published 27 reports on subjects ranging from economicaffairstothepowersoftheEUandadvances in science and technology.

ReportsReportsdrewthegovernment’sattentiontoLordscommittees’ views on:• womeninnewsandcurrentaffairsbroadcasting• theeconomicsofHS2• theEU’salcoholstrategy• theUK’selectricityresilience.

One-off and joint committeesThe House of Lords also regularly appoints short-term committees to examine particular subjects. In 2014-15, it set up one-off committees on theArctic, affordable childcare, digital skills and extradition law. In addition, some committees are appointed jointly with the House of Commons, for example, to conduct pre-legislative scrutiny.

Influencing public policy

The House of Lords examines public policy through its select committees. Members use their professional experience to carry out investigative, subject-focused work. Committees are a valuable way to provoke discussion inside and outside Parliament and make recommendations to government.


Communications Committee Constitution Committee

The committee investigates public policy areasrelated to the media and the creative industries.Its membership includes media professionals andpeople from other backgrounds with relevantexperience in industry, politics and law.

Women in news and current affairs on TV and radioThere have long been concerns about the representation of women in television and radio news and current affairs broadcasting, as presenters, expert guests, employees in production teams and in editorial roles.

News and current affairs broadcasting has a wide reach and role in shaping public perceptions about society. The committee suggested that therefore news and current affairs broadcasters have a particular responsibility to reflect society by ensuring a gender balance. Despite this, the committee found women are still underrepresented. Its January 2015 report argues that not enough is being done to enable more women to work in the sector and expresses concern about discrimination against women, particularly older women, in the industry.

The committee examines the constitutionalimplications of all public bills brought before theHouse of Lords, and reviews the operation of the constitution. Its members include leading lawyers and former secretaries of state.

Office of Lord ChancellorThe Lord Chancellor is a senior member of the cabinet and secretary of state for justice.

Upholding the rule of law The principle of the rule of law is a cornerstone of the UK constitution. The committee’s report states that the Lord Chancellor has a special responsibility to uphold the rule of law and protect constitutional principles across the work of government, and that the combination of the roles of the office of Lord Chancellor with that of secretary of state for justice gives the Lord Chancellor additional authority to do so.

The report recommends the government of the day:•agree formally that the rule of law goes beyond

the government simply following the letter of the law

The report recommendations include:•thecollationofdataontherepresentationof

women in the sector to better understand the problems, and for Ofcom to play a greater role to help monitor progress.

•greatertransparencyaroundbroadcasters’recruitment and progression processes.

•flexibleworkingpracticepolicieswhichencouragewomen with caring responsibilities to have fulfilling careers, and ensure that women returning from maternity leave receive appropriate support.

•urgentstepsbybroadcasterstoeradicateanyopportunities for gender discrimination and bullying of any kind.

•govern according to constitutional principles•change the Lord Chancellor’s oath of office to

reflect the duty to respect and uphold the rule of law.

Cabinet responsibilityThe report argues that the office of Lord Chancellor has responsibilities to the rule of law that go beyond those of other ministers. It proposes that a cabinet minister, preferably the Lord Chancellor, be given responsibility for oversight of the constitution as a whole. It also expresses concern that in the 2010-15 Parliament the Deputy Prime Minister and the Lord Chancellor were not members of the Devolution Committee looking at the further devolution of powers within the UK – an issue with clear constitutional implications.

Experience of the post-holderThe report concludes that there are advantages to appointing a qualified lawyer as Lord Chancellor, but it is not essential. The committee recommends that the government ensures that either the permanent secretary at the Ministry of Justice is legally qualified, or the top legal adviser in that department should be appointed at permanent secretary level.


The committee investigates current economicissues and reviews the performance and behaviourof the economy. Its members include businessleaders, economists and a former chancellor ofthe exchequer.

The economics of High Speed 2The government’s main objectives for HS2 are to increase railway capacity and rebalance the economy. The committee’s March 2015 report argued that it had not yet made a convincing case for either.

CapacityThe committee found that long-distance trains to andfromEustonwereonaverage43percentfull.Overcrowding was mainly a problem on Friday evenings and weekends.

The committee argued that cheaper options to fix overcrowding have not been properly reviewed.

Rebalancing the UK economyThe committee heard evidence from other countries, such as France, that showed capital cities were often the biggest beneficiaries of high speed rail.

EconomicAffairsCommittee

The committee found that there was a strong case for improvements to the trans-Pennine links or building the northern legs of HS2 ahead of HS2, as both could be better ways to rebalance the economy.

Reducing costThe report stated that the estimated £31.5 billion net public subsidy for HS2 did not tally with the government’s objective to make rail less dependent on the public purse, and should be considered against the background of financial restraint.

It highlighted possible ways to reduce cost, including: • runningtrainsat200mphinsteadof250mph• terminatingthelineatOldOakCommon,to

avoidthecostoftunnellingworkintoEuston• learninglessonsfromtheconstructionofhigh

speed lines in France where the cost of building railway lines has been much lower.

The committee concluded that legislation to start the first phase of HS2 should not be agreed until the questions raised in the report were answered by government.

Members concluded, not that HS2 was a bad idea, but that no properly argued case had been made. They were right.John Kay, Financial Times

‘’


ThecommitteeconsiderskeyEUpolicies,andexaminesdraftEUlawsbeforetheyareagreed.ItalsokeepsacheckongovernmentactionatEUlevel. The committee appoints six subject specialist sub-committees whose members have, and develop, great expertise in their policy areas.

Civilian use of drones in the EUIn March 2015 the committee published its report on‘CivilianUseofDronesintheEU’,followinganinquiry by the Internal Market Sub-Committee. ThecommitteesupportedtheEuropeanCommission’s proposals to harmonise safety rulesfordronesacrosstheEU.

Public concernThe report highlighted growing public concern over the use of drones by private individuals with little knowledge of aviation rules. The report recommended the adoption of measures to improve safety and to help enforce existing laws, so as to alleviate the potential risks associated with the civilian use of drones.

EuropeanUnionCommittee

Potential for growthEvidenceheardbythecommitteesupportedtheCommission’s estimate that the drone sector could createaround150,000newjobsacrossEuropeby2050. But for this potential to be realised, the safety of drone operations will have to be demonstrated, and public approval gained.

We have a huge opportunity to makeEuropeaworldleaderindronetechnology. But there’s also a risk— public understanding of how to use drones safely may not keep pace with people’s appetite to fly them. It would just take one disastrous accident to destroy public confidence and set the whole industry back.Baroness O’Cathain, Chairman, Internal Market Sub-Committee

‘

’


The committee investigates:• publicpolicyareaswhichare,oroughttobe,

informed by scientific research• technologicalchallengesandopportunities• publicpolicytowardsscienceitself.

The resilience of the electricity systemThe committee looked at the current and future contribution of science and technology to ensuring the resilience of the UK’s electricity system.

Keeping the lights on, but at a cost The committee found that overall the electricity system is robust but that the government had allowed its ‘safety net’ to fall short, resulting in last minute measures reliant on fossil fuel generation. The report argues that, in addition to the expense to consumers, the measures went against the government’s aims to decarbonise electricity generation.

New technologyNew technologies mean that the electricity system is undergoing immense and radical change. The report stresses that the government must stay ahead of the game, with dedicated investment into research and development across a wide range of technologies.

Science and Technology Committee

It also warns that new and emerging threats to resilience must be identified as early as possible. The electricity system’s increasing dependence on ICT will heighten the cyber threat and potential cyber-security breaches will require constant vigilance.

ConsumersThe report argues that giving consumers more control over how and when they use electricity has huge potential to reduce costs and improve resilience. It urges the government to do more to optimise market conditions and progress the roll out of smart meters.

As steps are taken to decarbonise electricity provision, it will become harder to keep it affordable and the committee said the government needs to inform the public about potential higher prices.

GenerationA more decarbonised system will also make it harder to guarantee supply. The report finds that flexible generation will be increasingly important to balance the electricity system, and that all new generation should be built in such a way as to maximise its flexibility.


Members of the Lords act as ambassadors for the House, for Parliament and for the UK. Participation in parliamentary visits and cooperation with overseas parliaments and multilateral parliamentary organisations enables members to contribute to discussions on global issues. By engaging with their international counterparts members promote understanding of the House and are able to share, apply and extend their experience and knowledge.

2014-15 highlights• TheHousesupportedtheorganisationofa

parliamentary conference at the Foreign Office ahead of the September 2014 NATO Summit in Newport, Wales and co-hosted the annual meeting of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly StandingCommitteeintheRoyalGalleryintheHouse of Lords in March 2015.

• InSeptember2014theLordSpeakerrepresentedthe House at the Ninth Meeting of Women Speakers of the Inter-Parliamentary Union in GenevaandattheCouncilofEuropeSpeakers’Conference in Oslo.

• TheLordSpeakervisitedtheparliamentsofJapanand Taiwan in autumn 2014, including a brief visit to the Hong Kong Legislative Council.

• InFebruary2015aCommonwealthParliamentaryAssociation (CPA) UK delegation of peers and MPs, led by the Lord Speaker, visited India.

• TheLordSpeakerreceivedvisitsfromSpeakersfromAustralia,Malaysia,Pakistan,Germany,Bangladesh, Serbia, Lithuania and Canada and receivedthePremierofChina,theEmirof Qatar and the President and Prime Minister of Afghanistan.

• Membersattendedseveralinternationalmeetingsof parliamentarians, for example, the Parliamentary Intelligence Briefing Forum in Washington DC and the 11th Conference of Parliamentarians of the ArcticRegion.

Building international relationships

The House of Lords has an important role to play in fostering and maintaining relationships with other countries, their parliaments and political leaders.

LordSpeakerBaronessD’SouzathanksGermanChancellor

Angela Merkel after her speech to both Houses of Parliament


Participants in the 2014 chamber event

Peers in SchoolsThe Lord Speaker’s Peers in Schools programme, where schools can apply to be visited by a member of the House to hear direct explanations of their work and the role of the Lords, continues to grow.

Members including academics, former teachers, scientists, lawyers, former cabinet ministers and civil servants have visited more than 1,500 schools since the programme began in 2007, reaching over 75,000 students and around 2,000 teachers across the UK.

To arrange a Peers in Schools visit, contact the Lord Speaker’s office: 020 7219 6444 [email protected]

Reachingout

The House of Lords works on behalf of the people of the UK and it’s vital there is a strong relationship with the public. Members explain the work of the House through a range of formal and informal outreach activities.

Lords chamber event 2014EveryyeartheHouseofLordschamberisopenedup for a public debating event.

Decision-making in a digital societyWidespread social media use and developments in digital communications mean there has never been an easier time to understand public opinion. Digital communities talk, think and problem-solve together.

In November 2014, over 190 people came together in the chamber for an inter-generational debate on decision-making in a digital society. The question asked was: ‘Parliament 2.0: in a digital society, is politics for politicians or is everyone a decision maker?’

The debate served to highlight how different generations are affected by digital changes, and explored attitudes to how Parliament should meet the demands of a digital society.


Facts and figures

Take a closer look at the membership and work of the House of Lords in numbers.

By type

Figures as at 30 March (end of the 2014-15 session) Note: Figures exclude 44 members on leave of absence, eight disqualifiedas senior members of the judiciary, and one suspended from the service of the House.

* Members from other political parties and non-affiliated members

Labour

Excepted hereditary peers

Liberal Democrat

Bishops

Crossbench

Bishops

Other*

Conservative

Life peers

Party strengths

Members

Questioning government 5%Statements 3%Other 3%*

Legislation 58%

Debating policy issues 31%

Source: House of Lords sessional statistics 2014–15 * Includes member introductions, daily prayers, adjournments and other formal business

How time was spent

Working patterns

226

665

215

89

104

25

181

26

41

Average length of chamber sittings (hours:minutes)

2012–13

2010–12

2009–10

2008–09

2013–14

2014–15

6:47

6:32

6:36

7:11

6:32

Average daily attendance

2012–13

2010–12

2009–10

2013–14

2014–15

497

483

484

475

388

6:46

† Long session due to Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011* Short session due to General Election

Sitting days

The unit that defines Parliament’s work is a session. Whether calculated by session, calendar or financial year, the working year averages around 150 sitting days for both Houses.

Work of the House of Lords | 41 40 | Work of the House of Lords

The 2014-15 parliamentary sessionsaw the continued development ofmultimedia and digital resources tocomplement the Lords website atwww.parliament.uk/lords @ukhouseoflordsThe House of Lords Twitter feed keeps the public up to date with news from the chamber and committees ensuring the work of the House reaches an active online audience.

Lords online

Total costs in 2014/15 amounted to £93.06 million. This includes works expenditure (which covers the House of Lords’ share of all accommodation, maintenance and building costs including the Grade I listed Palace of Westminster). A Staff costs 28%B Members’ expenses and financial support 22%C Security 10%D Estates and works 21%E Other expenditure 8%F Non-cash costs (building depreciation etc.) 11% Total costs (millions) £94.44Cost per taxpayer £3.17†

† Based on an estimated 29.8 million income tax payers in 2014-15(source: HM Revenue & Customs)

Expenditure in the 2014/15 financial year

A B

CDE

F

CostsBy session

By calendar year

By financial year (April - March)

2012–13

2010–12†

2009–10*

2013–14 149

137

293

68

2014–15 126

2012

2011

2010

2009

2013 139

138

156

136

141

2012/13

2014/15

2011/12

2010/11

2009/10

2013/14 142

138

138

155

135

142

2014 138

Other social media channelsOther Lords social media channels include Facebook,FlickrandYouTube.Video,imagesand news content to promote the core work of the House, including committee work and outreachevents, is made available for an online audience to share and engage with. www.twitter.com/ukhouseoflords

www.facebook.com/ukhouseoflords

www.youtube.com/ukhouseoflords

www.flickr.com/ukhouseoflords Lords Digital ChamberThe Lords Digital Chamber features the socialmedia activity of members of the House of Lords,political parties and groups in the Lords and related feeds on a single website. Users can interact with posts directly from the website, creating new ways to communicate with members of the Lords and see their conversations in real time.

www.lordsdigitalchamber.co.uk

Find out moreContact us or go online for information about business, membership and outreach activities.

Contact us if you require this publication in an alternative format.

House of Lords Information Office

020 7219 3107 Textphone 18001 020 7219 3107

[email protected]

House of Lords, London SW1A 0PW

www.parliament.uk/lords

@ukhouseoflords

facebook.com/ukhouseoflords

flickr.com/ukhouseoflords

youtube.com/ukhouseoflords

For video and audio coverage go to: parliamentlive.tv

© Parliamentary copyright House of Lords 2015

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