Matt Purvis Profile picture
Head of Research Services, House of Lords
Apr 24, 2023 7 tweets 2 min read
This Sunday is the 65th anniversary of the passing of the Life Peerages Act 1958

It has been described as a “turning point in the history of reform of the House of Lords”.

Why? One reason is it enabled women to become members of the House.

Prior to the Act, the House of Lords was exclusively male. Section 1 (3)allowed that “A life peerage may be conferred under this section on a woman”, the first time women had been allowed to sit.
Nov 15, 2022 5 tweets 2 min read
Lords deputy chief whip has made a statement about Counsellors of State Bill.

* Second reading 21 Nov 2022.
* Committee and remaining stages on 23 Nov 2022.

Members able to table amendments until 30 mins after second reading on 21 Nov. then passes to the Commons
Nov 15, 2022 5 tweets 1 min read
Lords response today
The Lord Privy Seal (Lord True) to move that an Humble Address be presented to His Majesty to return thanks to His Majesty for His most gracious message regarding including Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal and His Royal Highness the Earl of Wessex (1/3) and Forfar among those who may be called upon to act as Counsellors of State under the terms of the Regency Acts 1937 to 1953, and to assure His Majesty that this House will, without delay, proceed to discuss this important matter (2/3)
Nov 14, 2022 5 tweets 1 min read
Message from the King delivered to the House requesting amendment of the Regency Act to increase the number of counsellors of state to inc Princess Anne and the Earl of Wessex parliamentlive.tv/event/index/4a… the King would be "most content" if "parliament saw fit" to do so
Mar 24, 2020 6 tweets 2 min read
Lords Delegated Powers Committee has issued its view on the #CoronavirusBillUK.

publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld5801/ldse…

It's concluding paragraph suggests a possible Lords amendment which would change the expiry on sunset clause to 1 yr from 2yrs (thread) "Given the speed with which the Government need to act and the significance of the powers needed to address the emergency, we have, on this occasion, chosen mainly to highlight points of concern rather than make definitive recommendations..."