Profile

Non-affiliated Peer

Entered the House of Lords on 6 July 2010

Previously MP for West Dunbartonshire until 12 April 2010 — did not stand for re-election

Entered the House of Commons on 11 June 1987 — General election

Party was Labour/Co-operative until 11 Apr 2005; Labour until 1 Sep 2016

Also represented West Dunbartonshire; Dumbarton

• Personal website
• Wikipedia page
• BBC News profile

Expenses

• Expenses from 2004 to 2009

Topics of interest

• Treasury
• Defence
• Work and Pensions
• Scotland
• Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
• Tax Avoidance
• Naval Bases: Ambulance Services
• Corporate Social Responsibility
• Jobcentres
• Tax

Currently held offices

• Chair, Restoration and Renewal Client Board Committee (since 22 Jul 2024)
• Chair, Restoration and Renewal Client Board Committee (since 22 Jul 2024)
• Chair, House of Lords Commission (since 13 May 2021)
• Chair, House of Lords Commission (since 13 May 2021)
• Lord Speaker (since 1 May 2021)
• Chair, Freedom of Information Advisory Panel (Lords) (since 1 Sep 2016)
• Member, Procedure and Privileges Committee (since 1 Sep 2016)
• Chair, Sub-Committee on Leave of Absence (since 1 Sep 2016)
• Chair, Sub-Committee on Leave of Absence (since 1 Sep 2016)

Other offices held in the past

• Chair, Restoration and Renewal Client Board Committee (22 Jul 2024 to 30 May 2024)
• Chair, Restoration and Renewal Client Board Committee (22 Jul 2024 to 30 May 2024)
• Chair, Restoration and Renewal Client Board Committee (17 Oct 2022 to 30 May 2024)
• Chair, Restoration and Renewal Client Board Committee (17 Oct 2022 to 30 May 2024)
• Member, Parliamentary Works Estimates Commission (23 Sep 2020 to 14 Jul 2021)
• Chair, Hybrid Instruments Committee (Lords) ( 1 Sep 2016 to 29 Apr 2021)
• Chair, Hybrid Instruments Committee (Lords) ( 1 Sep 2016 to 29 Apr 2021)
• Chair, Liaison Committee (Lords) ( 1 Sep 2016 to 29 Apr 2021)
• Chair, Liaison Committee (Lords) ( 1 Sep 2016 to 29 Apr 2021)
• Chair, Committee for Privileges and Conduct (Lords) ( 1 Sep 2016 to 9 May 2019)
• Chair, Committee for Privileges and Conduct (Lords) ( 1 Sep 2016 to 9 May 2019)
• Chair, Procedure and Privileges Committee ( 1 Sep 2016 to 29 Apr 2021)
• Chair, Committee of Selection (Lords) ( 1 Sep 2016 to 29 Apr 2021)
• Chair, Committee of Selection (Lords) ( 1 Sep 2016 to 29 Apr 2021)
• Chair, Standing Orders (Private Bills) Committee (Lords) ( 1 Sep 2016 to 29 Apr 2021)
• Chair, Standing Orders (Private Bills) Committee (Lords) ( 1 Sep 2016 to 29 Apr 2021)
• Member, House of Lords Commission ( 1 Sep 2016 to 13 May 2021)
• The Senior Deputy Speaker ( 1 Sep 2016 to 30 Apr 2021)
• Member, European Union Committee (25 May 2016 to 31 Aug 2016)
• Member, EU Financial Affairs Sub-Committee (12 Jun 2015 to 31 Aug 2016)
• Member, Parliamentary Commission on Banking Standards (Joint Committee) (17 Jul 2012 to 12 Jun 2013)
• Member, Economic Affairs Committee (16 May 2012 to 30 Mar 2015)
• Member, Draft Financial Services Bill (Joint Committee) (20 Jul 2011 to 13 Dec 2011)
• Member, Draft Financial Services Bill (Joint Committee) (20 Jul 2011 to 13 Dec 2011)
• Member, Liaison Committee ( 1 Nov 2005 to 11 May 2010)
• Chairman, Treasury Committee ( 1 Nov 2005 to 11 May 2010)
• Member, Treasury Committee (14 Jul 2005 to 1 Nov 2005)
• Member, Liaison Committee (28 May 2004 to 11 Apr 2005)
• Chairman, Treasury Committee (28 May 2004 to 11 Apr 2005)
• Member, Treasury Sub-committee Committee (28 May 2004 to 11 Apr 2005)
• Member, Liaison Committee (Commons) ( 5 Nov 2001 to 6 May 2010)
• Chair, Treasury Committee (16 Jul 2001 to 6 May 2010)
• Chair, Treasury Committee (16 Jul 2001 to 6 May 2010)
• Member, Treasury Sub-Committee ( 7 Jun 2001 to 11 Jul 2005)
• Member, Public Administration Committee ( 3 Mar 2000 to 5 Mar 2001)
• Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Northern Ireland Office (28 Jul 1998 to 2 Dec 1999)
• Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Northern Ireland Office) (28 Jul 1998 to 2 Dec 1999)
• The Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury ( 8 May 1997 to 28 Jul 1998)
• Government Whip ( 6 May 1997 to 28 Jul 1998)
• Member, Transport Committee (27 Apr 1992 to 26 Oct 1992)
• Member, Defence Committee (28 Apr 1988 to 16 Mar 1992)

Public bill committees (Sittings attended)

• International Development Bill Committee (3 out of 4)
• Tobacco Advertising and Promotion Bill Committee (7 out of 7)

Recent appearances

• Independent School Fees: VAT - Question 13 Mar 2025

  My Lords, before I call the noble Lord, Lord Lexden, for the third Oral Question, I should remind noble Lords that there are active legal proceedings relating to the policy of applying VAT to private schools. Part of my role is to decide whether, in specific circumstances, it is appropriate to waive the application of the sub judice rule, under which we do not debate matters before the...

• Retirement of a Member: Baroness Smith of Gilmorehill - Announcement 3 Mar 2025

  My Lords, I should like to notify the House of the retirement, with effect from 28 February, of the noble Baroness, Lady Smith of Gilmorehill, pursuant to Section 1 of the House of Lords Reform Act 2014. On behalf of the House, I thank the noble Baroness for her much-valued service to the House.

• Private Rented Sector: Affordable Rents - Question 27 Feb 2025

  My Lords, the noble Lord, Lord Campbell-Savours, is participating remotely. I invite him to speak.

More of Lord McFall of Alcluith’s recent appearances