House of Lords written question – answered at on 28 October 2010.
Lord Stoddart of Swindon
Independent Labour
To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the estimated cost of building premises in Brussels to house the President of the European Council; and what will be the amount contributed to its building by the United Kingdom.
Lord Howell of Guildford
Minister of State (Foreign and Commonwealth Office) (International Energy Policy)
The European Council agreed back in 2006 that, as a result of continued enlargement of EU membership and the need to provide a purpose-built site for European councils, it required additional accommodation. The President of the European Council currently has his office at the Council's Justus Lipsius building. Once the new European Council building is completed, in 2013, the President's office will be situated there. In February 2010, the costs of the new building were capped at €240 million. The UK contributes roughly 12 per cent of the EU budget.
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.
