BRITAIN'S REVISING CHAMBER

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 293, 5 December 1908, Page 2

BRITAIN'S REVISING CHAMBER

1 ' REFORMING THE HOU.SE Oi' LORDS. J London, December 8, The Standard says that Lord iio*ebery's committee which is studying the question of reform in the House of Lords recommends that no peer be allowed to sit in the House by virtue of his hereditary title unless he has already sat ten years in the House of Commons, or held high office in Britain or the Empire, or been elected by tlnir t peers. The number of the present v peers who would be entitled to a scit s under these conditions is !150. It is} >s also proposed to reduce the number of ,'t bishops entitled to seats, to create a number of life peers, nnd to elect a „, number of peers to hold office for one ,t Parliament.

Tlicro are lit present 615 peers entitled to a seat in that chamber, made up ns follows: Peers of the Blood Royal. 3; Archbishops, 2; Dukes, 22; Marquises, 23; Earls, 124; Viscounts, 40; Bishops, 24; Barons, 333; Scotch Representative Peers, Kij Irish Represcnta tivc Peers, 28. A LEAGUE'S DECISION. Loudon, December 3. Dr. Clifford, the Nonconformist clergyman, states that the Taxpayers' League is likely to resolve not to pay income tax until the Premier, Mr. Asquith, ( deals with the House of Lords. THE REFORM iPROPOSALS. TjtE COMMITTEE'S REPORT. Received 4, 9,50 p.M. London, December 4. lord Rosebery'a Committee on the Reform of the House.of Lords recommend that the remodelled House of Eords consist of three peers of Royal frood, the whole of the peers of t'ie /Wlm (for one Parliament only), 130 'qualified hereditary peers, 10 spiritual peers, and 5 lords of appeal. Life peers not to exceed 40; only f.mr to be created in any one year.