House of Lords: Numbers and Eligibility - Question

Part of the debate – in the House of Lords am 2:58 pm ar 9 Rhagfyr 2024.

Danfonwch hysbysiad imi am ddadleuon fel hyn

Photo of Lord Foulkes of Cumnock Lord Foulkes of Cumnock Llafur 2:58, 9 Rhagfyr 2024

My Lords, I am over here on the right wing, for reasons I shall not go into. It is astonishing to hear the Opposition spokesman calling for retirement at 80: that means a whole swathe of the people opposite, as well as on this side, will go. Further to the point raised by the noble Lords, Lord Fowler and Lord Forsyth, whom I agree with, when I raised the question of participation in the debate last time, I mentioned the noble Lord, Lord Botham, whom we never see. I was then immediately attacked in the press by his daughter, who said that it is difficult for him to come down from the north-east of England. Well, if it is difficult from the north-east of England, it is a lot more difficult from Scotland, I can tell you that. We have Members from Orkney, and that is even more difficult. Can the Minister confirm that once we get rid of the hereditaries—and that needs to be done quickly—she will convene all-party discussions to look at all these questions, including that of participation?