The Leader of the House is closely concerned with the House's response to the Government announcement of 12 June 2003 about the future of the office of Lord Chancellor, and the changes made subsequently by the Constitutional Reform Act 2005.

At present the Lord Chancellor is Speaker of the House ex officio, however a Select Committee was appointed to consider the merits of appointing a Lords Speaker, and the House resolved on 31 January 2006 that a Speaker be appointed. The first election for the position of Speaker will be held no later than by the end of June 2006.

Extracts form the key debates and links to the Select Committee reports can be found below:

Leader's Statements

Report of Select Committee

Debates on Report