Baroness Goudie (Lab)

My Lords, I thank the committee for this report on retirement and participation, for their thorough work on this report, and for giving the House its clear direction as a result of a thorough consultation process. I also thank my good friend, my noble friend Lady Taylor, for chairing the committee and for being available to every Member of this House and to other organisations to talk about the report so that everyone knew where we were coming from. I welcome the Government’s manifesto commitment to introduce a retirement age in the House and the steps taken to advance the pledge that we have here today. By allowing the House to lead this issue, rather than proceeding immediately to legislation, we have created the space for a sensible and considered conversation and approach, allowing for the best outcome. As the committee itself recognised, the House is better placed to control the transition, and of the practical detail, if it takes the lead through a resolution of the whole House rather than waiting for a legislative process. The committee has proposed a retirement age of 80 and a minimum participation threshold of 20% of sitting days. I worry about participation. We need to have very clear rules, on induction of new Peers, about participation in the House and the work of the House—not only here but its work outside, such as working with universities, with the UN and with the Council of Europe, as many of our Members do. It is all those global things they do as well as being part of this House, representing us where they can. That is additional to other things, but just turning up 20% of the time is not enough; I think people have to be active within the House. I know some people will disagree with me on these things, but I think it is very important. Both suggestions will avoid a problematically high number of departures and will ensure that the House continues to benefit from the full experience of active Members as long as they are able to contribute. I look forward to the Government’s response, which I understand will be given later this year, and I support them in taking their time to consider these proposals carefully, given their particular significance for the future shape and functioning of this House and our democracy by relation.