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HOUSE OF LORDS Companion to the Standing Orders and Guide to the Proceedings of the House of Lords Laid on the table by the Clerk of the Parliaments 2010 Companion to the Standing Orders and Guide to the Proceedings of the House of Lords Laid before the House by the Clerk of the Parliaments 2010 PREFACE This is the 22nd edition of the Companion to the Standing Orders of the House of Lords since Sir John Shaw-Lefevre, then Clerk of the Parliaments, compiled his first edition for private circulation in 1862. It is issued with the authority of the Procedure Committee. The House and its procedures have changed much in recent years, and continue to do so. This edition of the Companion reflects two particularly significant changes. First, on 1 October 2009 the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom formally came into being, and the historic judicature of the House of Lords came to an end. Secondly, events in 2009 focused attention on the House’s procedures for regulating the conduct of its members; in response the House agreed new procedures for investigating complaints, asserted new disciplinary powers and, on 30 November 2009, agreed a new Code of Conduct. These are reflected in Chapter 5. The Companion is the authoritative guide to procedure, but it is by no means the only source of information for members. Others are the Handbook on facilities and services for Members, booklets on participation in legislative business (from the Public Bill Office) and the General Guide to the Members’ Reimbursement Scheme (from the Finance Department). All such guidance is available online. The Table Clerks and procedural offices are always available to advise members. MICHAEL POWNALL Clerk of the Parliaments 1 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER 1: THE HOUSE AND ITS MEMBERSHIP ................................ 13 Composition of the House ................................................................................................. 13 Disqualification for membership ...................................................................................... 13 Membership of the House under SOs 9 and 10 ................................................... 15 Retirement .................................................................................................................................... 16 Writ of summons ..................................................................................................................... 16 Introduction and sitting first in Parliament .................................................................. 17 Oath of allegiance and affirmation .................................................................................. 18 Leave of absence ...................................................................................................................... 20 Access to the facilities of the House ............................................................................. 21 Tax status ...................................................................................................................................... 21 Notification of death of member .................................................................................... 21 The Lord Speaker ..................................................................................................................... 22 Chairman of Committees .................................................................................................... 24 Principal Deputy Chairman of Committees .............................................................. 25 Deputy Speakers and Deputy Chairmen .................................................................... 25 Seating in the Chamber ........................................................................................................ 26 Steps of the Throne ................................................................................................................ 26 Diagram of the Chamber ..................................................................................................... 29 CHAPTER 2: THE CROWN AND PARLIAMENTARY SESSIONS ...... 30 Opening of Parliament ........................................................................................................... 30 First meeting after State Opening ................................................................................... 31 Prorogation .................................................................................................................................. 32 Dissolution .................................................................................................................................... 33 Effect of termination of session ........................................................................................ 33 Demise of the Crown ............................................................................................................ 34 Emergency recall of the House ........................................................................................ 35 Addresses to the Crown ...................................................................................................... 35 Messages from the Crown .................................................................................................. 36 CHAPTER 3: SITTINGS AND DOCUMENTS OF THE HOUSE .......... 38 Lord Speaker’s procession and the Mace ................................................................... 38 Prayers ............................................................................................................................................ 39 Quorum ......................................................................................................................................... 39 Change of Speaker................................................................................................................... 39 Adjournment ............................................................................................................................... 40 3 Secret sittings .............................................................................................................................. 40 Grand Committee .................................................................................................................... 40 Leave of the House ................................................................................................................. 42 Suspension of standing orders .......................................................................................... 43 House documents .................................................................................................................... 43 House of Lords Business ...................................................................................................... 44 Arrangement of business...................................................................................................... 45 Official Report ............................................................................................................................ 53 Journals ........................................................................................................................................... 54 Parliamentary papers .............................................................................................................. 55 Public petitions ........................................................................................................................... 58 Messages between the two Houses .............................................................................. 59 CHAPTER 4: CONDUCT IN THE HOUSE ............................................... 60 Self-regulation ............................................................................................................................. 60 Role of the Leader of the House, Whips and Lord Speaker .......................... 60 Conduct in the House ........................................................................................................... 62 Relevance ...................................................................................................................................... 63 Order of speaking .................................................................................................................... 64 Interruption of speeches ....................................................................................................... 65 Speaking more than once .................................................................................................... 65 Attendance at debate ............................................................................................................ 65 Length of speeches .................................................................................................................. 66 Reading of speeches ............................................................................................................... 67 Languages other than English ............................................................................................. 67 Reference to visitors ............................................................................................................... 67 Speaking on behalf of outside interests ....................................................................... 67 References in debate to the House of Commons ................................................ 67 Maiden speeches ......................................................................................................................