45. Lieut.-Colonel Sir FREDERICK HALLasked the Prime Minister whether 1265 during this Parliament it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to take steps to alter the Parliament Act, 1911, with a view to restoring the powers applicable to the House of Lords previous to the passing of the Act?
§ 46. Mr. STOURTONasked the Prime Minister if he will now make a statement as to the intentions of the Government with regard to the reformation of the House of Lords during the life of the present Parliament?
§ The LORD PRESIDENT of the COUNCIL (Mr. Baldwin)I would refer my hon. Friends to the answer which I gave on the 10th February in reply to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for East Dorset (Mr. Hall-Caine).
Sir F. HALLDoes my right hon. Friend recognise that the answer he gave was simply with regard to the reform of the House of Lords, and that my point does not deal with that matter. My point, as my right hon. Friend will appreciate, deals with the, powers taken away under the Act of 1911, and will the Government take steps to restore the powers as they used to be before the Parliament Act of 1911?
§ Mr. BALDWINI think that the Government, if I may speak as one who is temporarily leader of the House, have provided sufficient legislation of a contentious character for the present Session. What may be done in future Sessions has not yet been taken into consideration.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether there is any truth in the rumour which is going through the House that the present. Cabinet is in favour of the abolition of the House of Lords?
Mr. VYVYAN ADAMSWill my right lion. Friend consider modifying the hereditary principle of the House of Lords?
§ Mr. BALDWINI shall be interested to examine that question.
§ Mr. MANDERHave we not had enough revolutions for the time being?