Library Note Principal Office Holders in the House of Lords This Library Note provides a short overview of the role and functions of some of the key office holders in the House of Lords: the Lord Speaker, Deputy Speakers and Deputy Chairmen, Chairman and Principal Deputy Chairman of Committees, Leader and Deputy Leader of the House of Lords, Leader of the Opposition, Convenor of the Crossbench Peers, Chief Whip, Opposition Chief Whip, Lord Great Chamberlain and Earl Marshal. It also details the proposals made over recent years for reforms to some of these roles. Thomas Brown and Heather Evennett 19 March 2015 LLN 2015/007 House of Lords Library Notes are compiled for the benefit of Members of the House of Lords and their personal staff, to provide impartial, politically balanced briefing on subjects likely to be of interest to Members of the Lords. Authors are available to discuss the contents of the Notes with the Members and their staff but cannot advise members of the general public. Any comments on Library Notes should be sent to the Head of Research Services, House of Lords Library, London SW1A 0PW or emailed to
[email protected]. Table of Contents 1. Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 1 2. Lord Speaker ................................................................................................................................................ 1 2.1 Background ........................................................................................................................................