House of Lords written question – answered at on 28 October 2010.
Lord Stoddart of Swindon
Independent Labour
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the allegations that the European Council President, Mr Van Rompuy, used official cars to take his family on holiday.
Lord Howell of Guildford
Minister of State (Foreign and Commonwealth Office) (International Energy Policy)
We understand the use of official cars was connected with security arrangements for the European Council President. It is not appropriate for us to comment on those arrangements, though they should of course be carried out as economically as possible.
Yes0 people think so
No1 person thinks not
Would you like to ask a question like this yourself? Use our Freedom of Information site.
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.
