John McFall, Baron McFall of Alcluith

House of Lords to increase sitting days

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, May 13, 2020

In a letter to members from Lord McFall of Alcluith, Senior Deputy Speaker and chair of the Procedure Committee, he set out a number of changes to enable the House of Lords to conduct business and further scrutinise the governments response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Key Points: 
  • In a letter to members from Lord McFall of Alcluith, Senior Deputy Speaker and chair of the Procedure Committee, he set out a number of changes to enable the House of Lords to conduct business and further scrutinise the governments response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
  • These changes build on the second stage of virtual proceedings, which was implemented last week.
  • This saw 225 members participate in 12 hours of business over two days, with a similar number of members contributing in questions virtually compared to proceedings in the chamber of the House.

Letter from Lord McFall of Alcluith to members of the House of Lords

    • The Committee met yesterday for the third time in a month and will continue to meet regularly throughout this period.
    • Our deliberations were informed by the experience of last week, which saw the introduction of stage two of virtual proceedings.
    • Across the two sitting days last week we saw 225 members make contributions on 11 items of business, lasting 12 hours.
    • And these figures compare favourably to the House of Commons, which sat for 10.5 hours over three days, with 173 members contributing.
    • This change, which I hope will be welcomed by all members, requires a motion to be agreed by the House before taking effect.
    • The changes to sign-up times for oral questions, PNQs and debates which were agreed yesterday merit particular attention from members.
    • The House Administration are also undertaking work to plan and deliver hybrid proceedings in the House, following the decision of the House of Lords Commission on 7 May to move in this direction.
    • Any return to members attending the House would need to be staged and in line with guidance from Public Health England.

Creation of Covid-19 Committee recommended by Lords Liaison Committee

Retrieved on: 
Friday, May 1, 2020

Lord McFall of Alcluith , Chair of the Liaison Committee said:

Key Points: 
  • Lord McFall of Alcluith , Chair of the Liaison Committee said:
    "This is the first time either House has sought to establish a new Committee dedicated to the Covid-19 emergency and the Governments response to it.
  • Two key strengths of Lords Committeesare their cross-cutting nature - they are thematic in approach rather than set-up to shadow government departments - and the real world experience our Members can bring to them.
  • These strengths will be much in evidence in the new Covid-19 Committee which will be made up of experts across a whole range of relevant professional backgrounds andbe free to consider all the aspects and impact of the current crisis including on the economy, education and the social bonds between generations."

Creation of Covid-19 Committee recommended by Lords Liaison Committee

Retrieved on: 
Friday, May 1, 2020

Lord McFall of Alcluith , Chair of the Liaison Committee said:

Key Points: 
  • Lord McFall of Alcluith , Chair of the Liaison Committee said:
    "This is the first time either House has sought to establish a new Committee dedicated to the Covid-19 emergency and the Governments response to it.
  • Two key strengths of Lords Committeesare their cross-cutting nature - they are thematic in approach rather than set-up to shadow government departments - and the real world experience our Members can bring to them.
  • These strengths will be much in evidence in the new Covid-19 Committee which will be made up of experts across a whole range of relevant professional backgrounds andbe free to consider all the aspects and impact of the current crisis including on the economy, education and the social bonds between generations."

Statement from Lord McFall on vote on the Privileges Committee report on conduct of Lord Lester of Herne Hill

Retrieved on: 
Friday, November 16, 2018

Lord McFall makes statement on vote

Key Points: 
  • Commenting following todays vote to remit the report into the Conduct of Lord Lester of Herne Hillback to the Privileges and Conduct Committee, Lord McFall of Alcluith, Chair of the Privileges and Conduct Committee and Senior Deputy Speaker in the House of Lords, said:
    'I am deeply disappointed by todays decision by the House to send the report into the conduct of Lord Lester of Herne Hillback to the Privileges and Conduct Committee for further consideration.
  • The Committee will meet next week to consider options in response to todays vote.
  • Members raised concerns with the process of the investigation that the Committee will consider.
  • Every step of the way she followed the processes as agreed by the House and that have not been questioned before today.