House of Lords: Grand Committee Live Transmission

House of Lords written statement – made at on 30 November 2006.

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Photo of Lord Brabazon of Tara Lord Brabazon of Tara Chairman of Committees, House of Lords, Deputy Speaker (Lords)

During the Summer Recess, work was carried out in the Moses Room to provide the infrastructure required to support live transmission of Grand Committee proceedings. From 5 December, live web camera coverage of Grand Committees will be available on channel 23 on the Parliamentary network and on www.parliamentlive.tv. The coverage will be provided using an automated system and will not include close-up shots. The transmission will, nevertheless, enable viewers to follow the proceedings of the Grand Committee. Coverage of proceedings will be available for up to 28 days on www. parliamentlive.tv and a permanent archive of footage will also be maintained.

House of Lords

The house of Lords is the upper chamber of the Houses of Parliament. It is filled with Lords (I.E. Lords, Dukes, Baron/esses, Earls, Marquis/esses, Viscounts, Count/esses, etc.) The Lords consider proposals from the EU or from the commons. They can then reject a bill, accept it, or make amendments. If a bill is rejected, the commons can send it back to the lords for re-discussion. The Lords cannot stop a bill for longer than one parliamentary session. If a bill is accepted, it is forwarded to the Queen, who will then sign it and make it law. If a bill is amended, the amended bill is sent back to the House of Commons for discussion.

The Lords are not elected; they are appointed. Lords can take a "whip", that is to say, they can choose a party to represent. Currently, most Peers are Conservative.