Profile

Liberal Democrat Peer

Entered the House of Lords on 23 November 2015

Previously MP for Berwick-upon-Tweed until 30 March 2015 — General election

Entered the House of Commons on 8 November 1973 — unknown

Also represented Berwick-upon-Tweed

• Personal website
• Wikipedia page
• BBC News profile

Social Media

• UK Parliament Profile

Expenses

• Expenses from 2004 to 2009
• Expenses from 2010 onwards

Topics of interest

• Environment Food and Rural Affairs
• Health
• Trade and Industry
• Defence
• Treasury
• Unpaid Advisers
• Public Records
• Correspondence
• Parliamentary Advisers
• Project Sponsorship

Currently held offices

• Deputy Speaker (Lords) (since 16 Apr 2024)
• Member, Constitution Committee (since 31 Jan 2024)
• Deputy Chairman of Committees (since 19 May 2022)
• Member, Lord Speaker's committee on the size of the House (since 20 Dec 2016)

Other offices held in the past

• Member, Statutory Instruments (Joint Committee) ( 5 Sep 2024 to 30 Jan 2025)
• Member, Justice and Home Affairs Committee (31 Jan 2023 to 31 Jan 2024)
• Member, Statutory Instruments (Joint Committee) (19 Jan 2022 to 30 May 2024)
• Member, Joint Committee on the Fixed-Term Parliaments Act (24 Nov 2020 to 30 May 2024)
• Member, Constitution Committee (25 May 2016 to 28 Jan 2021)
• Chair, Liaison Committee (Commons) (21 Jul 2010 to 30 Mar 2015)
• Chair, Liaison Committee (Commons) (21 Jul 2010 to 30 Mar 2015)
• Chair, National Policy Statements Sub-Committee (21 Jul 2010 to 30 Mar 2015)
• Member, National Security Strategy (Joint Committee) (13 Jan 2010 to 30 Mar 2015)
• Member, Committee on Issue of Privilege (Police Searches on Parliamentary Estate) (13 Jul 2009 to 6 May 2010)
• Chair, Justice Committee ( 6 Nov 2007 to 30 Mar 2015)
• Chair, Justice Committee ( 6 Nov 2007 to 30 Mar 2015)
• Member, Constitutional Affairs Committee ( 5 Nov 2007 to 8 Nov 2007)
• Member, Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission ( 9 Oct 2006 to 6 May 2010)
• Member, Liaison Committee (Commons) ( 4 Feb 2003 to 21 Jul 2010)
• Chair, Constitutional Affairs Committee ( 4 Feb 2003 to 5 Nov 2007)
• Member, Constitutional Affairs Committee (28 Jan 2003 to 4 Feb 2003)
• Member, Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament (30 Jul 2001 to 24 Nov 2008)
• Member, Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament (30 Jul 2001 to 24 Nov 2008)
• Shadow Spokesperson (Cabinet Office) ( 1 Jun 2001 to 1 Jun 2002)
• Member, Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission ( 1 Jan 2001 to 24 May 2005)
• Member, Procedure Committee (14 Feb 2000 to 11 May 2001)
• Shadow Spokesperson (Home Affairs) ( 1 Jan 1995 to 1 Jan 1997)
• Shadow Spokesperson (Home Affairs) ( 1 Jan 1994 to 1 Jun 1999)
• Member, Treasury & Civil Service Committee (17 Jun 1987 to 28 Nov 1994)
• Shadow Spokesperson (Treasury) ( 1 Jan 1987 to 1 Jun 1994)
• Member, Privileges Committee (14 May 1986 to 15 May 1987)
• Shadow Spokesperson (Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs) ( 1 Jan 1985 to 1 Jan 1987)
• Member, Liaison Committee (Commons) ( 9 Jun 1983 to 5 Dec 1985)
• Member, House of Commons (Services): Accomodation & Administration Sub-Committee ( 9 Jun 1983 to 5 Dec 1985)
• Member, Procedure Committee ( 1 Nov 1978 to 15 May 1987)
• Member, Committee of Selection ( 1 Nov 1978 to 9 Jun 1983)
• Opposition Whip (Commons) ( 1 Jan 1976 to 1 Jan 1987)

Public bill committees (Sittings attended)

• Self-build and Custom Housebuilding Bill Committee (1 out of 1)
• Presumption of Death Bill Committee (0 out of 1)
• Hunting Bill Committee (14 out of 16)

Recent appearances

• Upcoming Business – Lords: Main Chamber 17 Jul 2025

  Interavailability of rail tickets – Lord Beith. Oral questions

• House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) Bill - Report (2nd Day) (Continued): Amendment 23 9 Jul 2025

  I draw to the attention of the noble and learned Lord, whose interest in this matter is much appreciated, the fact that, when we considered this in the Burns committee, it was clear that there needed to be some way in which Ministers could be brought to the Front Bench—by being admitted to a peerage—and that that could be done out of the quota their party ought to have been getting in any...

• UK Constitution: Oversight and Responsibility (Report from the Constitution Committee) - Motion to Take Note 4 Jul 2025

  My Lords, I thank the House for a truly excellent debate. I know it is conventional to say what a good debate we have had, but I genuinely think that the committee’s work has been greatly helped by the way its report has been considered, including the detailed way in which the Minister has responded, even though I am disappointed by some of the things that she has not committed herself...

More of Lord Beith’s recent appearances

RSS feed (?)