REFORM OF THE LORDS

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 536, 13 December 1928, Page 9

REFORM OF THE LORDS

LORD CLARENDON’S PLAN LIBERAL-LABOUR OPPOSITION British Official Wireless LONDON, Wednesday. “The feet of the young men and women are almost at our doors. We can almost hear their quick, impatient tread,” Lord Buckmaster exclaimed in the Rouse of Lords, speaking to the Earl of Clarendon’s proposals for reform of the House. ‘‘ls this House to do nothing but lie like a fallen tree barring the whole path of progress, or will it do something to ensure sympathetic consideration of Labour measures? I believe that upon the right answer to this question depends the welfare of the whole realm.” Lord Parmoor said the Labour Party insisted upon the maintenance of the supremacy of the House of Commons and was uncompromisingly opposed to proposals which would establish a second chamber empowered to hamper the Commons and to defeat democratic measures. Lord Clarendon’s motion was as follows: First, that it was desirable that early steps should be taken to limit the number of members of the House of Lords, and to make suitable provision for the elective representation of the peerage, and for such other representation or nomination as would ensure to each political party a fair position in the House. Secondly, that the following constitution of the House of Lords would fulfil these conditions: In each Parliament there should sit and vote 150 peers, to be elected by proportional representation or cumulative vote by the whole body of peers, and 150 other persons, to be nominated by the Crown in proportion ta the parties in the House of Commons. The Crown should also have the power to appoint a limited number of life peers in each Parliament. Lord Clarendon advocated that those peers who wero not elected to sit in the House of Lords should be eligible to stand as candidates for the House of Commons. The debate was adjourned.