Overview

This bill introduces reforms to the House of Lords, allowing members (peers) to resign, setting out conditions for expulsion, and clarifying the consequences of ceasing to be a member.

Description

The bill establishes a formal process for peers to resign from the House of Lords. Resignation requires written notice to the Clerk of the Parliaments, specifying an effective date and witnessed signature. Resignations are irreversible.

The bill also outlines circumstances leading to expulsion. Non-attendance for a full session (excluding absences with leave), without special dispensation, results in automatic removal. Conviction of a serious offense (defined as a sentence of over one year's imprisonment or indefinite detention) also leads to expulsion. The Lord Speaker's certificate is definitive in both cases.

The bill details the consequences of ceasing to be a member, including disqualification from attending House of Lords proceedings, loss of entitlement to a writ of summons and, for hereditary peers, the removal of certain exemptions under the House of Lords Act 1999. However, it does not disqualify peers (other than hereditary peers) from voting in Commons elections or becoming MPs.

The Lord Speaker's certificate is deemed conclusive in all matters under this bill. The bill also clarifies the interpretation of "member of the House of Lords" and explicitly excludes certain other grounds of disqualification from this bill’s purview.

Government Spending

The bill is not expected to significantly impact UK government spending. The costs are likely to be minimal, relating to administrative changes within the House of Lords.

Groups Affected

• Peers (Members of the House of Lords): This bill directly impacts them by providing a mechanism for resignation and defining the circumstances for expulsion. It also clarifies their rights and statuses upon ceasing to be a member.
• The Lord Speaker: The Lord Speaker plays a key role in certifying non-attendance and convictions, influencing decisions about expulsion.
• Clerk of the Parliaments: The Clerk of the Parliaments is the recipient of resignation notices.
• Hereditary Peers: This bill specifies the impact of expulsion on their status under the House of Lords Act 1999.
• The House of Lords Administration: The bill necessitates administrative changes within the House of Lords to implement the procedures outlined.

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