HC Deb 29 June 1927 vol 208 cc404-5
47. Mr. BRIANT

asked the Prime Minister if he will make provision for the inclusion of women in the Upper House in any proposals to be submitted to the Houses of Parliament?

46 and 48. Mr. LANSBURY

asked the Prime Minister (1) whether it is intended that women shall be eligible to serve as elected Members of the House of Lords;

(2) whether, in connection with the scheme for the reform of the House of Lords, any decision has been arrived at with regard to the payment, of salaries to elected members?

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER (Mr. Churchill)

It is premature to answer these Questions of details, but no doubt, an opportunity will soon arise to discuss them in Debate.

Mr. CLYNES

Are we to take that answer as meaning that the Government have no statement to make in this House on the question of House of Lords reform until the Debate has been begun in this House?

Mr. CHURCHILL

I think, on the whole, that would be a fairly safe conclusion to draw.

Mr. BRIANT

Does the right hon. Gentleman regard the inclusion of women as only a detail of the scheme; and, considering that the number of women voters at the next Election promises to be larger than the number of men voters, would it not be wise and just if women were included in the Upper Chamber?

Mr. CHURCHILL

I think the answer to that question is fully conveyed in the answer which I have already given.

Sir F. HALL

Would it not solve all these difficulties if the Government were to leave alone this question of extending the franchise to women of 21?

Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

Is it not a fact that the Government have abandoned these proposals for the present?

Mr. CHURCHILL

No, Sir. I have not heard of anything that could justify me in making a statement of that kind.

Sir COOPER RAWSON

Is the right hon. Gentleman able to say whether the author of Question 48 on the Paper is looking ahead?