On Tuesday, the House debated a report from the Constitution Committee of the Lords on The office of Lord Chancellor. It was a reasoned report, making a number of recommendations. In the debate, peers commended various of the proposals advanced by the committee. However, what was remarkable was the unanimity among backbench speakers as to…
It may be recess but the Parliamentary timetable waits for no-one. Committee stage of the Pensions Bill starts next Monday 28th and amendments for the first day of committee had to be placed in the Public Bill Office by yesterday at 4.00pm. I have added my name to that of three former Lord Chancellors (Lords…
In the course of its inquiry into the Cabinet Office, the Constitution Committee of the Lords took evidence from Lord Turnbull, who was Cabinet Secretary in 2003 when the decision was taken to abolish the post of Lord Chancellor. He commented on the stance taken by the then Lord Chancellor, Lord Irvine of Lairg, saying that…
When a new Speaker is elected by the Commons, the approbation of the monarch is required. Rather than attend in person, the monarch conveys that approbation through a royal commission. MPs are summoned to the bar of the House of Lords and the commission – comprising the Lord Chancellor and the leaders of the parties…
The Lord Chancellor, Jack Straw, gave evidence to the Constitution Committee in the Lords yesterday. It was a wide-ranging session covering a number of constitutional issues. I put a number of questions to him. The Lord Chancellor knows who I am, and has variously quoted me, but he seems to have problems with my name. …
