To the Foreign Office: Thank you for replies to some nine questions for Written Answer. I would like to comment on some of them. Afghanistan (HL5349) You are quite correct about responsibility for prisoners and detainees lying with the US and Afghan authorities. Nevertheless, General Stone’s report and other evidence, suggest that prison conditions and…
Monday first day back after recess; I don’t know why we have these long breaks but some of us appreciate them! A brilliantly sunny day and a small orderly row of people were sitting on Westminster Hall roof with two female police officers up there on the parapet apparently admiring the view. The protesters looked…
I will never forget my first appearance as a young barrister, arguing an appeal case in the House of Lords. Five of the six elderly men I was addressing listened to my submissions with a stony face that Buster Keaton could not have matched. But one nodded occasionally and even smiled at me. I drew…
Monday sees the return of Peers to the chamber of the House. The recess always leaves the House feeling a bit empty even if you do see Lords there from time to time – usually dealing with correspondence, using the library or having meetings of one type or another. We will be dealing with some final…
Many of you will have read of the Tory plan to ship in a large number of peers if they win the 2010 election. The rumour is that up to perhaps 40 will be rapidly ennobled, so that the Tories have a substantial majority (and get their legislation through) and to fill any gaps in…
This week’s quiz questions. The first two readers to respond with the correct answers will be the winners. 1. When a division is called in the House of Lords, how many minutes do peers have to get into the chamber before the doors to the chamber are locked? 2. The Select Committee on the European…
I have previously written about the edited version of the electoral register. As regular readers will know, I have pressed for its abolition. The electoral registration form should be solely for the purpose of registering to vote and not being required by law to decide whether to be included in a register made available to…
The summer recess is an opportunity to undertake repairs and refurbishment in the Palace. Over the summer, there has been a substantial workforce in to undertake about twenty different projects. These have included essential repairs and maintenance as well as the beginning of what appears to be a rolling programme of roof replacement. Various corridors…
The Constitution Unit at University College London keeps a beady eye on the activities of the Lords. Its Deputy Director, Meg Russell sends us regular research updates which are both informative and challenging. Her website is at http://www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit/staff/russell.html The Unit has recently published on the web a copy of Meg’s evidence to the House of Lords…
