MR MARK HARPER MP—SUPPLEMENTARY WRITTEN EVIDENCE
(4)
During the evidence session on Monday 27 February,
I agreed to write to the Committee to explain why the draft House
of Lords Reform Bill provides different mechanisms for modifying
the list of disqualifying offices for appointed and elected members.
The draft Bill makes it possible for there to be
different lists of disqualifying offices for appointed and elected
members due to the need to allow greater flexibility when making
recommendations for individuals to be appointed. The appointed
element in the reformed House would be chosen for its experience
and expertise and we believe it to be acceptable for appointed
members to hold some of the offices which elected members could
not hold.
The list of disqualifying offices for elected members
will at the time of the first election be any office described
in Part 2 or 3 of Schedule 1 to the House of Commons Disqualification
Act 1975 (other than a member of the House of Lords Appointments
Commission). Thereafter the reformed House of Lords could resolve
to modify the list.
For appointed members, we needed to provide for a
list of disqualifying offices to be drawn up in advance of the
first elections and first round of appointments. To permit this
we included a provision for the list of disqualifying offices
to be modified for appointed members by an Order in Council.
However, we agree that after the first round of appointments
it should be open to the reformed House to make a resolution to
amend the list of disqualifying offices for both elected and appointed
members.
We will examine the drafting of the Bill and make
any necessary amendments, before introduction to ensure that it
reflects this, subject to any further views from the Joint Committee.
I am copying this letter to all members of the Joint
Committee and the Clerks.
8 March 2012
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