The Senior Deputy Speaker
The Senior Deputy Speaker deputises for the Lord Speaker. Lord Gardiner of Kimble was appointed Senior Deputy Speaker shortly after the election of Lord McFall of Alcluith as Lord Speaker.
What does the Senior Deputy Speaker do?
The Senior Deputy Speaker has a number of duties, including:
- He is the spokesperson in the House for the House of Lords Commission. All parliamentary business relating to the Services Committee and Finance Committee is submitted to the Senior Deputy Speaker who may assign responsibility for answering written questions or debates to the relevant committee chair.
- He is empowered to act in the absence of the Lord Speaker, for example to recall the House during a period of adjournment.
- He is chair of the:
o Privileges and Conduct Committee
o Procedure Committee
o Liaison Committee
o Committee of Selection
By agreement with the Usual Channels, he can propose members of the Lords to fill casual vacancies on select committees. - He has general supervision and control over private bills and hybrid measures.
Contact the Senior Deputy Speaker
House of Lords
London
SW1A 0PW
Phone: 020 7219 6000
Email: hlseniordeputyspeaker@parliament.uk