House of Lords written question – answered at on 25 February 2003.
Lord Laird
Crossbench
asked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answers by the Lord Privy Seal on 12 December 2002 (WA 48) and on 27 January (WA 138) about security vetting, how many posts in the Northern Ireland Civil Service are classified as sensitive posts or higher; how many of those post holders possess valid security clearances; whether any civil servants whose security clearances have expired were in post on 12 December 2002; and, if so, why.
Lord Williams of Mostyn
President of the Council, Privy Council Office, Lord Privy Seal and Leader of the House of Lords
Her Majesty's Government have nothing further to add to the Answers given on
Yes2 people think so
No1 person thinks not
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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.
