Hansard

"Hereditary Peers

Volume 604: debated on Thursday 22 July 1999

Download text
Back to top Previous debate Next debate
The text on this page has been created from Hansard archive content, it may contain typographical errors.

(1) In implementation of section 2 of the House of Lords Act 1999, this Standing Order makes provision for hereditary peers who are excepted from section 1,

(2) The excepted hereditary peers shall consist of the following categories:

  • (i)
  • (a) 2 peers elected by the Labour hereditary peers;
  • (b) 42 peers elected by the Conservative hereditary peers;
  • (c) 3 peers elected by the Liberal Democrat hereditary peers;
  • (d) 28 peers elected by the Cross-bench hereditary peers;
  • (ii) 15 peers, elected by the whole House, from among those ready to serve as Deputy Speakers or in any other office as the House may require; and
  • (iii) any peer holding the office of Earl Marshal or performing the office of Lord Great Chamberlain.

    • (3) Elections shall be conducted in accordance with arrangements made by the Clerk of the Parliaments.

    (4) In order to stand for election or qualify as an elector under paragraph (2)(i), a peer must register with the Clerk of the Parliaments, identifying the party or Cross-bench group to which he belongs. In order to stand for election under paragraph (2)(ii), a peer must register separately with the Clerk of the Parliaments. A peer may not stand for election nor vote if he has not taken the Oath or is on Leave of Absence.

    (5) In the event of a tie between two or more candidates standing in any of the elections held in accordance with paragraph (2), the matter (if not resolved by the electoral arrangements adopted by the House) shall be decided by the drawing of lots.

    (6) The Clerk of the Parliaments may refer any question concerning the propriety of the electoral process to the Committee for Privileges,

    (7) In the event of a vacancy occurring at any time up to the end of the initial period through death among the peers elected in category (2)(i) or (2)(ii), the vacancy shall be filled by the nearest runner-up in the relevant election under paragraph (2) who both wishes to fill the vacancy and is otherwise available. The provisions of paragraph (5) are applicable for

    1 The amendments are as follows:

  • 1. Page 1, line 9, leave out ("no more than")
  • 2. Page 1, line 14, at end insert—

    • ("() Standing Orders shall make provision for filling vacancies among the people excepted from section 1; and in any case where—

  • (a) the vacancy arises on a death occurring after the end of the first Session of the next Parliament after that in which this Act is passed, and
  • (b) the deceased person was excepted in consequence of an election, that provision shall require the holding of a by-election.")

    • Page 2

    this purpose. If no such runner-up is available, the House shall decide how the vacancy shall be filled.

    (8) In this Standing Order and in Standing Order ( Hereditary Peers: By-elections) the end of the "initial period" is the end of the first session of the next Parliament after that in which the House of Lords Act 1999 is passed."