HOUSE OF LORDS 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 2015 PREFACE This is the 24th 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 Companion is the authoritative guide to procedure, but it is by no means the only source of information for members. A summary of key elements of procedure is given in the Brief Guide on Procedure and Practice in the House and Grand Committee, while general services are covered in the Handbook on facilities and services for Members and their staff. Members may also consult the Guide to the Code of Conduct, the Guide to Financial Support for Members (from the Finance Department) and the booklets on participation in legislative business issued by the Legislation Office. All such guidance is available online. The Table Clerks and procedural offices are always available to advise members. DAVID BEAMISH Clerk of the Parliaments 1 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER 1: THE HOUSE AND ITS MEMBERSHIP ................................ 15 Composition of the House ...............................................................................................15 Disqualification from membership ................................................................................15 Membership of the House under SOs 9 and 10 ................................................... 17 Writ of summons ..................................................................................................................18 Introduction and sitting first in Parliament................................................................. 19 Oath of allegiance and affirmation ................................................................................20 Retirement age ........................................................................................................................22 Retirement or resignation ..................................................................................................22 Cessation of membership through non-attendance ............................................ 22 Imprisonment for a serious offence..............................................................................23 Leave of absence ...................................................................................................................23 The voluntary retirement scheme .................................................................................24 Access to the facilities of the House............................................................................25 Tax status ...................................................................................................................................25 Notification of death of member ..................................................................................25 The Lord Speaker ..................................................................................................................26 Chairman of Committees ..................................................................................................28 Principal Deputy Chairman of Committees ............................................................. 29 Deputy Speakers and Deputy Chairmen ..................................................................29 Seating in the Chamber ......................................................................................................30 Steps of the Throne .............................................................................................................30 Diagram of the Chamber ..................................................................................................33 CHAPTER 2: THE CROWN AND PARLIAMENTARY SESSIONS ...... 34 Opening of a new Parliament..........................................................................................34 Opening of subsequent sessions ....................................................................................34 First meeting after State Opening .................................................................................35 Prorogation ...............................................................................................................................36 Dissolution ................................................................................................................................. 37 Effect of termination of session ......................................................................................37 Demise of the Crown .........................................................................................................38 Emergency recall of the House ......................................................................................39 Addresses to the Crown ...................................................................................................39 Messages from the Crown ................................................................................................40 3 CHAPTER 3: SITTINGS AND DOCUMENTS OF THE HOUSE.......... 42 Lord Speaker’s procession and the Mace ................................................................. 42 Prayers .........................................................................................................................................43 Quorum ......................................................................................................................................43 Change of Speaker ................................................................................................................43 Adjournment ............................................................................................................................44 Secret sittings ...........................................................................................................................44 Grand Committee .................................................................................................................44 Leave of the House ..............................................................................................................46 Suspension of standing orders ........................................................................................47 House publications ................................................................................................................47 House of Lords Business ....................................................................................................48 Arrangement of business ...................................................................................................49 Official Report .........................................................................................................................57 Journals ........................................................................................................................................58 Parliamentary papers ............................................................................................................58 Public petitions ........................................................................................................................60 Messages between the two Houses ............................................................................61 CHAPTER 4: CONDUCT IN THE HOUSE ............................................... 63 Self-regulation ..........................................................................................................................63 Role of the Leader of the House, Whips and Lord Speaker .......................... 63 Conduct in the House ........................................................................................................65 Relevance ...................................................................................................................................67 Order of speaking ..................................................................................................................67 Interruption of speeches ....................................................................................................68 Speaking more than once ..................................................................................................68 Attendance at debate ..........................................................................................................69 Length of speeches ...............................................................................................................69 Reading of speeches .............................................................................................................70 Languages other than English ...........................................................................................70 Reference to visitors ............................................................................................................70 Speaking on behalf of outside interests ......................................................................71 References in debate to the House of Commons ............................................... 71 Maiden speeches ....................................................................................................................72 Appellations ..............................................................................................................................72