At this time of the year our attention turns to the parliamentary session ahead. The party conferences give a clue as to what to expect:  yes, it is possible that the next few weeks could be stormy politically, but equally external (financial) fireworks could persuade everyone to hold tight to the status quo. However, the day to day business of the House of Lords follows its own path.

Bills will go through their normal stages, deals will be done to ensure they go through and committees will ponder their particular remits. My job as convenor is to suggest which independent crossbenchers might join which committees. This is a juggling task, but is actually rather important. A lot of the real work of Parliament takes place in committees which are extremely thorough and well-serviced by experienced clerks. Resulting reports can and do influence policy.

So who should do what? Clearly one would wish to put forward those with relevant experience – thus those with international affairs expertise to foreign policy committees or peers who have a financial background to economic affairs committees. But not all are willing to serve given that most committees require one to attend a two-hour meeting every week that Parliament sits and sometimes extra events such as visits or private lunches. Others are extremely keen to be on a given committee and there is great competition but not always the corresponding expertise.

Most committees have strict rotation rules but this year the Chair of the prestigious and important European Committee is due to retire. This is a paid post and carries with it onerous duties in that it aims, through  a series of sub-committees, to scrutinise all European legislation. Lord Grenfell has held the post for several years and there is a fair amount of chivvying to appoint a new incumbent who not only has a seasoned background in European Union affairs, but who would find favour with all the political parties, bearing in mind that Europhile and Eurosceptic feelings run high.

Inevitably some will not get their committee of choice – but I do keep a waiting list and try to avoid round pegs in square holes. I also use this opportunity to persuade newer peers, and also those who do not attend as regularly as one would wish, to become a member of a committee and give of their best. As with any organisation, newly appointed peers although warmly welcomed, don’t really feel part of the House unless they are contributing and one of the best ways to do so is via committee work.