Welcome to the latest edition of Letter of the Lords the weekly newsletter aimed at shining a light into the

e work the partys peers are doing in the second chamber. Why not let us know what you think? Email the newsletter onlordsmedia@libdems.org.uk. And thats also the address to give to friends, colleagues and loved ones to sign up too. Plus dont forget to keep up to date with the blog at libdemlords.org.uk and follow us on Twitter @LibDemLords.

IN THE CHAMBER

The Letter of the Lords is now under new management. Following Lord Tom McNallys decision to step down as leader of the Lib Dems in the Lords earlier this month after nine years, theres a new man at the helm. Lord Jim Wallace, the former Deputy First Minister of Scotland, was this week elected unopposed as new leader, formally taking over at noon on Tuesday as nominations slammed shut. The Advocate General for Scotland received plaudits from across the House as he assumed his new responsibilities. He said: It is a great privilege as well as an exciting challenge to have been electe d as Leader of the Liberal Democrat peers. As someone who has already led a parliamentary group in coalition in Scotland, I hope I can bring some of that experience to dealing with the challenges and opportunities which coalition government brings. Anyone looking at our list of peers will immediately recognise the depth and diversity of talent and ability in our ranks. That is why we make an impact in the House. And as we approach 2015 I want to ensure that as a team we play to our strengths in the work of the House and the election preparations of the party. I should also wish to pay a warm tribute to my predecessor and friend, Lord McNally. He has given great service to the group and the wider party, as well as to the House of Lords itself in his near decade as Leader. His experience will still bring value to our groups discussions.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK Under the 30-year rule, papers were released on discussions within the then Conservative Government in 1971-72, when a spat with the Spanish over Gibraltar was in full spate. The Foreign Secretary scribbled on one paper that perhaps one ought to consider possible alternatives. One alternative came up from a relatively junior member of the Foreign Office, who suggested that one might perhaps think of assigning the governance of Gibraltar to the Knights of St John on Malta. A senior official scribbled: Have you ever met the Knights of Malta? You might as well give the sovereignty of Gibraltar to the Young Liberals. Lord William Wallace enlivens a debate on the European Parliamentary Elections (Amendment) Regulations 2013 with a tale of yore.

TWEET OF THE WEEK Seems I am now married to the Deputy Leader of the House of Lords #unopposed Rosie Wallace (@WallaceRosie), novelist, announces the other halfs new job in the most 2013 of ways.

One new peer in and another already giving her maiden speech. Cathy Bakewell became Baroness Bakewell of Hardington Mandeville this week, increasing the length of her business card by a couple of centimetres, as she was introduced in the Lords. Two days later Baroness Zahida Manzoor became the first of the new intake of Lib Dem peers to make her speaking debut in the House, choosing to do so in adebate about drugs. Baroness Manzoor, who has 20 years experience in the NHS, told peers: I believe that we must direct resources to help those suffering the consequences of the use of drugs and build a stronger, more cohesive society: one that helps the sick and disadvantaged and which values the importance of prevention and education in this complex and challenging area.

Lord Roger Roberts asked the Government whether it had plans to give 16- and 17-year-olds in England, Wales and Northern Ireland the vote following the decision to do so in next years Scottish independence referendum. Does the Minister not agree on the importance of young people having a good citizenship course, possibly in every school in the United Kingdom?, he asked. At the end of such a citizenship course they should be able to register at the sge of 16 to become voters and be put on the electoral register. The Conservative Minister, Lord Gardiner of Kimble, said there were no plans to lower the voting age.

Lord Eric Avebury asked the Government what further steps it would take to curb the late-night purchasing and consumption of alcohol. The number of licences, he told peers, has been increasing every year since 2003. The Minister, Lord Taylor of Holbeach, said measures introduced by the Government has enabled licensing authorities to target problem premises and areas.

And Lord John Sharkey asked for the Governments assessment of the exclusion of those in northern Cyprus from the benefits of the islands membership of the EU. Meat and dairy products are the economic mainstay of northern Cyprus, but they are banned from the EU simply because there is no recognised body in northern Cyprus to certify them as safe, although they are safe, he said. Will the Government look at arranging some form of bilateral certification arrangement that would allow such products to be sold in the United Kingdom?. The Minister, Baroness Warsi, said she could not comment.

WHATS COMING UP MONDAY Lord Rumi Verjee and Baroness Alison Suttie will be introduced as peers. TUESDAY Lord Jeremy Purvis will be introduced as a peer. Lord David Chidgey will ask the Government what new Millennium Development Goals it would prefer to see introduced after 2015. WEDNESDAY Lord Tony Greaves to ask the Government about its proposals to reduce the level of economic inequality.

Committee stage of Lord John Sharkeys Private Members Bill pardoning Alan Turing. THURSDAY Baroness Christine Humphreys will be introduced as a peer. Lord Mike Storey will ask the Government about teaching citizenship to young people. Lord John Shipley leads a debate on the economic impact of the UKs membership of the EU. Lord Tony Greaves leads a debate on the expected impact of HS2. Lord Ben Stoneham leads a debate on increasing housebuilding by May 2015. Baroness Sue Miller leads a debate on the assessments of the Natural Capital Committee on resource allocation. FRIDAY Second reading of Lord Paul Tylers Private Members Bill reducing the voting age to 16. For more detailed information on what's coming up in the Lords, click here.

Follow the Lib Dem Lords on Twitter @LibDemLords, contact the newsletter at lordsmedia@libdems.org.uk and see the blog at libdemlords.org.uk.