Overview

This bill amends the rules governing membership of the House of Lords. It introduces provisions for permanent leave of absence, expulsion for serious criminal offences, and clarifies the consequences of losing Lords membership for the right to vote and stand for election to the House of Commons.

Description

The bill details several key changes:

Permanent Leave of Absence

Members can apply for permanent leave of absence, or it can be granted automatically if they fail to attend for a session lasting more than six months (with exceptions for military and diplomatic service, or those with justifiable reasons approved by a House-designated body).

Expulsion

A member convicted of a crime resulting in a prison sentence or detention of over a year will automatically lose their seat. This also applies to convictions from outside the UK, unless the Lords votes to overturn it.

Consequences for Commons Membership

Losing a seat in the House of Lords under this bill does not automatically prevent someone from voting or standing for election to the House of Commons (unless they are disqualified for other reasons).

Government Spending

The bill is unlikely to have a significant direct impact on government spending. The administrative costs associated with implementing the new rules are expected to be minimal.

Groups Affected

• Members of the House of Lords: This bill directly affects their ability to maintain their seat, with potential loss of membership for non-attendance or criminal convictions.
• The House of Lords Administration: Changes to their procedures will be required to implement the bill's provisions.
• Individuals convicted of serious crimes: Those convicted of qualifying crimes will lose their seat in the House of Lords.
• Individuals seeking election to the House of Commons: The bill clarifies that former members of the House of Lords are not automatically barred from standing for election to the Commons.

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