Some of the key functions of the House of Lords will be conducted virtually when parliament returns later this month, as UK democracy seeks a new way to function through the coronavirus crisis, according to a letter sent to peers on Thursday. It means, among other things, that members of the House will be able to use video conferencing to dial in remotely to parliamentary proceedings. The Lords authorities also plan to re-examine how much members receive in allowances given that they will not be expected to travel to attend the Palace of Westminster. Signed by Lord Speaker Fowler as well as the upper chamber’s political leaders, the letter said they had agreed that oral statements and oral questions should be conducted online from 21 April. They said they plan to ensure that general debates and certain stages of legislation will also be held virtually at some point in the future.
The letter, signed by Fowler, Labour’s leader of the opposition Baroness Smith, the leader of the Liberal Democrats’ in the Lords Lord Newby and the Conservatives’ leader of the house Baroness Evans, said that initially, participation in virtual proceeds would be limited, with a view to expansion in the future. “The leaders, convenor and Lord Speaker have agreed that as a priority oral questions and oral statements should be, as much as possible, held virtually. A number of committees have been doing some of their work remotely over this period and that will continue once the house returns. “For fully virtual sessions, there may need to be a limit on the number being held each day to ensure Parliamentary Digital Service (PDS) resources are available, but work on this continues. “We are also working towards a position in which other types of business – general debates, certain stages of legislation – can be undertaken virtually, but we are going to have to make progress on a step-by-step basis,” the letter said. Mindful that some of the chamber’s older members may struggle with technology – their average age is 70, according to data from 2019 - the letter urges peers to acquaint themselves with Microsoft Teams so that they can participate. “We would strongly encourage all members to use the period before the house meets to familiarise themselves with the platform as this will be the means by which members can participate in any virtual proceedings,” it said. The body overseeing the House of Lords will also re-examine how much peers receive in allowances under the new system, according to the letter. At present, they can opt to receive an allowance of £313 per day, plus travel expenses and subsidised restaurant facilities.
“In view of the fact we intend a significant amount of business to be able to take place virtually, after Easter the House of Lords commission will look at how the allowances system can be adapted to reflect this new, temporary way of working,” it said. One option could be for peers to be allowed to claim a half-rate, which is currently allowed for work away from Westminster. Parliament closed early for Easter as members in the Palace of Westminster sought to abide by social distancing measures to slow the spread of Covid-19. Jacob Rees-Mogg, leader of the House of Commons, announced last week that the government and parliament hoped that appropriate technology would be in place by 21 April, when MPs also return. It followed demands for a virtual lower chamber from the Speaker, Lindsay Hoyle, and opposition parties.