REFORM OF HOUSE OF LORDS

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21418, 9 March 1935, Page 15

REFORM OF HOUSE OF LORDS

* Need for Policy private bill likely to BE INTRODUCED (irSITEP TRESS ASSOCIATION—TU.ECTHIC TELEGRAPH —COPYRIGHT.) (Received March 8, 10 p.m.) LONDON, March 7. In the House of Lords discussion on the reform of the Upper Hou;;e arose when Lord Rockley, formerly Sir Evelyn Cecil, moving for a petition to his Majesty the King to waive his prerogative in order to allow Parliament in the present session to discuss the limited creation of life peerages, intimated if the petition were granted he would introduce a bill. This is not a party move, as Lord Rockle; is acting on his own responsibility. The constitution of the Upper House, he said, could not remain adamant indefinitely against variation and amendment. Though so far an agreed scheme had not been reached, he thought common ground was achievable for a modest alteration. Lord Hailsham said that the Government, without committing itself regarding the bill, would not oppose it, and v. ould advise his Majesty to assent to the petition. Lord Salisbury said that the Government must reach some policy on reform of the House of Lords before the election, or thereafter it would be claimed that there was no mandate on the subject. Lord Roekley's motion was carried without a division. | ~