I support the point made by the noble and learned Lord, Lord Woolf; it would be quite inappropriate for a serving judge to hold the position. I would hope that if the person appointed held or was entitled to hold high judicial office, they would be endued with a degree...

I support the point made by the noble and learned Lord, Lord Woolf; it would be quite inappropriate for a serving judge to hold the position. I would hope that if the person appointed held or was entitled to hold high judicial office, they would be endued with a degree...

I want to ask about the relative position of the code of conduct and the financial rules. I understand—although I am subject to correction—that the commissioner is concerned only with the financial rules, not with the code of conduct. The code of conduct is dealt with by the existing parliamentary...

I want to ask about the relative position of the code of conduct and the financial rules. I understand—although I am subject to correction—that the commissioner is concerned only with the financial rules, not with the code of conduct. The code of conduct is dealt with by the existing parliamentary...

It is also worth pointing out that the chief executive is to be appointed by IPSA, whereas the interim chief executive, as I understand it, is appointed by the Speaker of the House of Commons. Some distinction has to be made to allow for that difference of appointment.

It is also worth pointing out that the chief executive is to be appointed by IPSA, whereas the interim chief executive, as I understand it, is appointed by the Speaker of the House of Commons. Some distinction has to be made to allow for that difference of appointment.

I will make one small point. The code is prepared by IPSA after consultation. It must be laid before the House of Commons and does not come into effect until approved by a resolution of the House of Commons. What happens if the House of Commons declines to approve the...

I will make one small point. The code is prepared by IPSA after consultation. It must be laid before the House of Commons and does not come into effect until approved by a resolution of the House of Commons. What happens if the House of Commons declines to approve the...

I think that there is no theoretical objection to publishing a Bill as amended in Committee up to a certain point, but I can see some practical difficulties because of the strain that that might put on the resources available for printing and numbering.

I think that there is no theoretical objection to publishing a Bill as amended in Committee up to a certain point, but I can see some practical difficulties because of the strain that that might put on the resources available for printing and numbering.

I support the view put forward that it would be highly desirable for the House of Commons to consider setting up an internal, fair appeal system to be used in the case of an important direction. I agree that it would be a mistake to have an appeal to the...

I support the view put forward that it would be highly desirable for the House of Commons to consider setting up an internal, fair appeal system to be used in the case of an important direction. I agree that it would be a mistake to have an appeal to the...

I quite see that point, but it would as a practical matter be mightily difficult for us in the time that the Government have made available to work out the detail of an internal committee. I also take the point of the noble Lord, Lord Campbell-Savours, that how the House...

I quite see that point, but it would as a practical matter be mightily difficult for us in the time that the Government have made available to work out the detail of an internal committee. I also take the point of the noble Lord, Lord Campbell-Savours, that how the House...

My Lords, how does the suggestion of a written constitution lie with questions of reform of the House of Lords? It is obvious that, if there is constitutional reform on a grand scale in the shape of a written constitution for the first time, questions must arise about the position...

My Lords, how does the suggestion of a written constitution lie with questions of reform of the House of Lords? It is obvious that, if there is constitutional reform on a grand scale in the shape of a written constitution for the first time, questions must arise about the position...

My Lords, in my understanding, one of the essential qualities of our democracy has been the integrity of the voting process. I confess to having been completely shattered by the result announced by the independent commission appointed to look into the situation regarding the Scottish elections last May. I would...

My Lords, in my understanding, one of the essential qualities of our democracy has been the integrity of the voting process. I confess to having been completely shattered by the result announced by the independent commission appointed to look into the situation regarding the Scottish elections last May. I would...