House of Lords (Expulsion and Suspension) Act 2015

The House of Lords (Expulsion and Suspension) Act 2015 provided for the House of Lords to make Standing Orders that:

• would enable a suspension to be imposed on a member that would run beyond the end of a Parliament; and
• would allow the House of Lords to expel members other than for non-attendance or being sentenced to over a year in prison (as provided for in the House of Lords Reform Act 2014).

Following a report from the Committee on Privileges and Conduct, the House of Lords agreed a new Standing Order in line with the provisions of the Act on 16 July 2015.

The Act started as a private Member’s bill, introduced in the House of Lords by Baroness Hayman. In the House of Commons, it was sponsored by Sir George Young.  The Bill received Royal Assent on 26 March 2016.

This Briefing Paper tracks the Bill’s progress through both Houses, and notes the steps taken in the House of Lords to implement its provisions.

Whilst the Bill was being considered, the House of Lords accepted a recommendation from the House Committee that in the future, members “who are expelled, suspended, or cease to be a member under section 2 or section 3 of the House of Lords Reform Act 2014 should not have any access rights”.