Lords debates Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Bill

The aim of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and International Committee of the Red Cross (Status) Bill is to redefine the CPA and in ICRC so that the government can grant them privileges and immunities in a similar manner to other international organisations of which the UK is a member.

Debate on the draft law

During second reading, members discuss the main topics in the bill and draw attention to specific concerns or areas where they think amendments (changes) are needed. 

Members speaking

Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Labour), Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, opened the debate and responded on behalf of the government.

Members speaking in the debate included:

• Baroness D'Souza (Crossbench), founder and former director of the Relief and Development Institute
• Lord Howell of Guildford (Conservative), former President of the Royal Commonwealth Society
• Baroness Northover (Liberal Democrats), lecturer in global health innovation and former vice-chair of the CPA.

Catch up

• Watch on Parliament TV.
• Read the Lords Hansard transcript.

Explore further information

Find out more about the bill in the House of Lords Library briefing.

Next steps

Committee stage, the first chance for line by line scrutiny of the bill, is scheduled for Wednesday 11 September.

Image: Roger Harris