The Lords has had some members who have not enhanced the reputation of the House – occasionally quite the reverse, as we know from recent history – but the membership is marked far more by those who have achieved notable distinctions, not only before but also during their time in the House. This quiz focuses on members who have distinguished themselves in recent years. All the questions relate to current members of the House. As usual, the first two readers to supply the correct answers will be the winners.
1. I was awarded the GBE last year for my contributions to science. Who am I?
2. My PhD was in philosophy, I hold over twenty honorary degrees, and I gave the Reith Lectures some years ago on the issue of trust. Who am I?
3. I hold 38 honorary doctorates and fellowships in the UK and overseas and in 2006 was advanced from being an Officer to a Commander of the l’Ordre des Arts and des Lettres (France). I also hold various BAFTA awards. Who am I?
4. I was awarded the Order of Merit (OM) in 2007 and last year received the Templeton Prize. I have also given the Reith Lectures. Who am I?
1. Earl of Selborne
2. Baroness O’Neill of Bengarve
3. Lord Attenborough
4. Lord Rees of Ludlow
For 3 that’s the best fit so far, but 2006 for the French award doesn’t match what I’ve found to date.
1. The Earl of Selborne
2. The Baroness O’Neill of Bengarve
3. The Lord Attenborough
4. The Lord Rees of Ludlow
Dave H and Jonathan: Close, but neither of you are correct.
Still time for a correct full list…
2) Lord John Taylor (Pentonville)
In the interests of accuracy, it wasn’t Pentonville, it was Wandsworth where he shared a cell with Elliot Morley
They are all in it together I believe is the current government phrase to use.
Yes but Elliot Morley did not have honorary doctorates or Chancellor of University.
The only thing they shared, other than cell, was an easily pricked conscience. Ambition yes; thick skins no, an essential pre-requisite
for politicians.
Lord Puttnam is the other obvious answer for #3, but I can’t find anything that links him to the French honour in 2006.
As above, but with 3) as Lord Putnam.
I’d guess Lord Puttnam for Q.3 but didn’t get the others before seeing Dave H’s and Jonathan’s answers.
It says something about the membership that more than one person could almost meet that description. It also says something about the Draft Bill that someone like Lord Puttnam would probably be excluded from the reformed House (even as amended by the Joint Committee)- a declared party allegiance would mean he couldn’t be an appointee and other activities and long-term ill health may preclude a full-time elected post. This needn’t be a problem with indirect election and a part-time House.
I now also agree 3. is Lord Puttnam. I’ve found he was indeed made a “Commandeur” in 2006, having been an “Officier” since 1992.
I can’t find a definitive membership list for l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, which makes the question a rotter!
Yes, very difficult to find a definitive list, at least for non-French recipients. I did find lists of French recipients on various French government websites but nowhere could I find an overseas list.
Thanks for the responses. Question 3 proved more demanding than I anticipated. I very much take JH’s point.
As will be apparent, the answers were indeed:
1. Earl of Selborne
2. Baroness O’Neill of Bengarve
3. Lord Puttnam
4. Lord Rees of Ludlow
The winners are Dave H and Chris K, who gets in ahead of Jonathan with his correction. Jonathan, I suspect, will pretty relaxed about it as he is already a grand prize-winner.
Now, to think about a demanding question or two for the next quiz…