Asked by: Lord Lexden (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what criteria are used to determine (1) appointment as MBE, and (2) award of the British Empire Medal.
Answered by Lord Wallace of Saltaire - Liberal Democrat Lords Spokesperson (Cabinet Office)
As is the practice of previous Governments, we do not normally comment on such inquiries.
The honours committees have adopted the following indicative guidelines as to the criteria for assessing the award of MBEs and BEMs:
Member of the British Empire (MBE)
Achievement or service in and to the community which is outstanding in its field and has delivered sustained and real impact which stands out as an example to others.
British Empire Medal (BEM)
Achievement or contribution of a very “hands-on” service to the community in a local geographical area. This might take the form of sustained commitment in support of very local charitable and/or voluntary activity; or innovative work that has delivered real impact but that is relatively short (three to four years) in duration.
Asked by: Lord Lexden (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they intend to publish the results of their inquiry into the premature disclosure of certain honours included in the New Year's honours list; and if so, when.
Answered by Lord Wallace of Saltaire - Liberal Democrat Lords Spokesperson (Cabinet Office)
As is the practice of previous Governments, we do not normally comment on such inquiries.
The honours committees have adopted the following indicative guidelines as to the criteria for assessing the award of MBEs and BEMs:
Member of the British Empire (MBE)
Achievement or service in and to the community which is outstanding in its field and has delivered sustained and real impact which stands out as an example to others.
British Empire Medal (BEM)
Achievement or contribution of a very “hands-on” service to the community in a local geographical area. This might take the form of sustained commitment in support of very local charitable and/or voluntary activity; or innovative work that has delivered real impact but that is relatively short (three to four years) in duration.
Asked by: Lord Lexden (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what was the total size of the Privy Council on (1) 1 May 1997, (2) 1 May 2010, and (3) 1 January 2015.
Answered by Lord Wallace of Saltaire - Liberal Democrat Lords Spokesperson (Cabinet Office)
The information is set out in the table below.
Date | Number of Privy Counsellors |
1st May 1997 | 423 |
1st May 2010 | 554 |
1st January 2015 | 639 |
Asked by: Lord Lexden (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the answer by Lord Wallace of Tankerness on 26 February (HL Deb, col 922) and the Written Answer on 23 June (HL224), when they now expect all the necessary processes to be completed so that the Succession to the Crown Act 2013 can be implemented.
Answered by Lord Wallace of Saltaire - Liberal Democrat Lords Spokesperson (Cabinet Office)
Further to the answers of 26 February (HL Deb, col 922) and 23 June (HL224), all Realms have concluded the necessary processes before implementation with the exception of Australia. Out of the six Australian States, five have now enacted legislation and the remaining State has introduced its legislation. Once that has been enacted we understand that the Australian Government will introduce the Commonwealth’s Succession to the Crown Bill into the Australian Parliament as a priority. The UK Government will then be in a position to make the commencement order for the Act.
Asked by: Lord Lexden (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Wallace of Saltaire on 23 June (HL244), whether they will now set a definite date for the release of their written response to the report of the Select Committee on the Constitution on the Constitutional implications of coalition government (HL Paper 130, Session 2013–14) published on 12 February and debated on 13 May.
Answered by Lord Wallace of Saltaire - Liberal Democrat Lords Spokesperson (Cabinet Office)
The Government is grateful to the Select Committee on the Constitution for its work on these important issues. The Government is considering these issues carefully and will respond shortly.
Asked by: Lord Lexden (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the answer by Lord Wallace of Tankerness on 26 February (HL Deb, col 921), whether they are now in a position to implement the Succession to the Crown Act 2013.
Answered by Lord Wallace of Saltaire - Liberal Democrat Lords Spokesperson (Cabinet Office)
All Realms have concluded the necessary processes before implementation apart from Australia. The Council of Australian Governments agreed that States would legislate first, before legislation was brought forward by the Canberra Government.
Four states have now enacted legislation; the remaining two have introduced legislation which is due to be enacted shortly. All State Premiers have expressed support for the proposed changes and the Government understands that the Australian Government stands ready to legislate when all the State legislation has been enacted
Asked by: Lord Lexden (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government when they intend to provide a response to the report of the Select Committee on the Constitution on the Constitutional implications of coalition government (HL Paper 130, Session 2013–14) which was published on 12 February and debated on 13 May, and why they were unable to produce their response within the normal two-month time frame.
Answered by Lord Wallace of Saltaire - Liberal Democrat Lords Spokesperson (Cabinet Office)
I would like to once again thank the Select Committee on the Constitution for the work they did on this report, which raised a number of important matters which require detailed consideration. We will respond to the Select Committee on the Constitution shortly.