12 Questions for the Government re: The Strathclyde Review

Tabled on Monday 9th November – six each by Baroness Smith of Basildon and Lord Bassam of Brighton – we expect the government to respond by Tuesday 24th November.

Baroness Smith of Basildon, Shadow Leader of the Lords to ask HM Government: 

• whether they will produce a Green Paper, a White Paper and consult with parliament prior to recommending any legislative changes to parliamentary procedures, following Lord Strathclyde’s review of the powers of the House of Lords. 

• what discussions were undertaken with the head of the civil service prior to setting up the review of House of Lords powers being undertaken by Lord Strathclyde? 

• whether Lord Strathclyde’s review of the powers of the House of Lords will seek advice from the parliamentary clerks on any changes to procedures for considering secondary legislation. 

• whether the House of Lords Constitution Committee, Procedure Committee, Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee, Delegated Powers Committee; and the Joint Committee on Human Rights will be consulted prior to Lord Strathclyde’s review of the powers of the House of Lords being published. 

• whether Lord Strathclyde’s review of the powers of the House of Lords will be seeking evidence from all political parties represented in Parliament. 

• whether Lord Strathclyde’s review of the powers of the House of Lords intends to define a “financial measure” further to the comments by Baroness Stowell of Beeston [HL Debate, 28 October 2015, c1176]. 

 Lord Bassam of Brighton, Opposition Chief Whip to ask HM Government: 

• how many civil servants are supporting Lord Strathclyde in the preparation of his report into powers of the House of Lords; and which political advisers are providing support. 

• whether they will publish any background advice and research provided to Lord Strathclyde’s review of the powers of the House of Lords. 

• whether they will publish the full list of any advisers assisting Lord Strathclyde’s review of the powers of the House of Lords.  

• what precedents there are in government since 1945 for conducting a review of a similar nature to Lord Strathclyde’s review of the powers of the House of Lords. 

• whether evidence sessions will be held in preparing Lord Strathclyde's report, and whether they will be public. 

• what their estimate is of cost of the Lord Strathclyde’s review of the powers of the House of Lords, and which department will be covering these costs. 

ENDS