HOUSE OF LORDS REFORM BILL [HL] - 2nd READING

3 December 2010: Lord Faulkner of Worcester: My Lords, it is not very often that I get the privilege of following a maiden speaker in your Lordships' House and to be given the opportunity to pay a tribute to him. It is even rarer to follow a new Member of such exceptional talent and distinction as the noble Lord, Lord Hennessy of Nympsfield. read more.......

My Lords, that leads me neatly into expressing my complete support for the Bill again introduced so ably by the noble Lord, Lord Steel of Aikwood. I congratulate him on his patience and perseverance. I reread the Hansard report of the debate on the Bill of the noble Lord, Lord Steel, on 27 February 2009......

........ Many noble Lords warned in February 2009 that if there were no provision for retirement, a change of Government would trigger the appointment of large numbers of new Peers, making the membership of the House intolerably large. That is exactly what is happening..... read more......