Lord Campbell-Savours – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Leader of the House of Lords

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Campbell-Savours on 2015-10-22.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment has been made of whether denying a member of the House of Lords who is a Special Adviser the right to speak is in breach of the letters patent, which refer to seat” and “voice”.”

Baroness Stowell of Beeston

A member of the House of Lords who is eligible to take part in the work of the House, and who is also a serving special adviser, is not denied the right to speak. It has, however, been an accepted practice under successive administrations that members in that position vote but refrain from speaking.