This is the first report from the Committee for Privileges of the 2008-09 session (HLP 87, ISBN 97801084444234), and examines the powers of the House of Lords in respect of its Members. The Committee sought advice from the Attorney General and Lord Mackay of Clashfern on what sanctions the House could impose in the event of a serious complaint against a Member being upheld, and in particular on the powers of the House with regard to suspension of Members. The conclusions of the Committee were as follows: that the House possesses, and has possessed since before the 1705 resolution, an inherent power to discipline its Members and exercise of this power exists within the House’s own procedures; the duty imposed upon Members, by virtue of the writs of summons, to attend Parliament, is subject to various implied conditions, which are reflected in many of the rules governing the conduct of Members; that it is not within the power of the House by resolution to expel a Member permanently; and, that the House does possess the power to suspend its Members for a defined period not longer than the remainder of the current Parliament.
