House of Lords written question – answered at on 25 July 2007.
Lord Campbell-Savours
Labour
asked Her Majesty's Government:
What discussions have taken place with Strathclyde police about possible legal proceedings against the Weir Group for breaches of United Nations sanctions legislation in relation to Iraq.
Lord Evans of Temple Guiting
Government Whip
Any decision to take forward a prosecution against the Weir Group is for the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) to make and Her Majesty's Government have no locus to intervene.
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.
