Not quite, there's a week or so to go, but it's not unusual for it to be that empty. The bill is in second reading, which is the first opportunity to debate th

Not quite, there's a week or so to go, but it's not unusual for it to be that empty. The bill is in second reading, which is the first opportunity to debate the subject. Those attending are therefore those with an interest in the bill and who want to speak in the debate (or are there for other business that day). There's no need for everyone to attend. The Lords are a little different to their MP counterparts - firstly, there's a lot more of them (if all the eligible Lords actually turned up you'd have a very hard job fitting them in the chamber), and they also don't get paid a salary. Rather, they are paid an allowance for each day they actually attend.