Bailiffs

House of Lords written question – answered at on 22 June 2010.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of Lord Lucas Lord Lucas Conservative

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will consider amending the law to negate the decision of the Court of Appeal in Sheriff of Bedford and Toseland Building Supplies Limited v Bishop (1993) that goods commonly known as "tools of the trade" are not exempt from seizure by bailiffs if they are occasionally used by a person other than the defaulter.

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will consider exempting from seizure by bailiffs motor vehicles that are necessary for a person in debt, or a member of his or her family, to travel to and from work.

Photo of Lord McNally Lord McNally Deputy Leader of the House of Lords, The Minister of State, Ministry of Justice, Liberal Democrat Leader in the House of Lords

The Government have no current plans to prevent the seizure of motor vehicles or negate the case of Sheriff of Bedford and Toseland Building Supplies Limited v Bishop (1993). We have, however, given a commitment to provide more protection against aggressive bailiffs.

Does this answer the above question?

Yes3 people think so

No2 people think not

Would you like to ask a question like this yourself? Use our Freedom of Information site.

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.