An “essential” bill to reform the way that members of the Royal Albert Hall pay for and sell seats at the venue has been revived in the House of Lords following the general election.
The proposals, put forward by the charity’s trustees in November 2022 to amend provisions of the Royal Albert Hall Act 1966, have been criticised by some peers as the bill has been debated.
In a debate to revive the bill this week, former NCVO president Lord Hodgson said he was “astonished” that the trustees had brought it back as it fails to address “the central problem of the governance of the Royal Albert Hall”.
A spokesperson for the charity said in response that the trustees “believe that this bill is essential for the charity, which is why it has been brought back to the House”.
Opposing group plans amendments
Lord Hodgson, who previously criticised the bill alongside others including former Charity Commission chair Baroness Stowell, said members selling their seats had become “an exceptionally profitable activity” with some being bought for ten times face value.
“The bill before us, which we will discuss in detail later, will not address any of these issues. In fact, some argue it will make them worse,” he said.
“So, the group of which I am a member will be tabling some amendments for discussion, to address the issues, as far as we can, within the provisions of the long title of the bill, at third reading.”
He added: “In nodding the bill through, I would like the House to be aware that a significant number of your lordships are very concerned about what lies behind it.”
The motion to revive the bill for a third reading, at a date yet to be decided, was agreed.
Trustees: ‘Bill is essential for the charity’
The Royal Albert Hall spokesperson said: “The Royal Albert Hall bill gives a proper legal basis for members of the charity voluntarily to continue to give up the rights to attend more events than are allowed in the 1966 Royal Albert Hall Act.
“Members giving up the rights to attend many events makes it possible for the hall to stage, and for the public to attend, more and more popular events.
“The trustees of the Royal Albert Hall, the bill’s promoters, believe that this bill is essential for the charity, which is why it has been brought back to the House.”
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