§ 46. Mr. Emrys Hughesasked the Prime Minister if he will take steps to make it possible for Cabinet Ministers who are Members of the House of Lords to answer Questions in the House of Commons.
§ The Prime MinisterI do not think it would be a good thing to bring strangers into the debates in the House. The question of peers renouncing their peerages, temporarily or permanently, and standing for election in the House of Commons is one which would no doubt be considered in any discussion which may be opened at some future time for the reform of the Upper Chamber. It would certainly not be free from controversy.
644 His Majesty's Government will make a statement shortly on the answering of Parliamentary Questions on matters which are the responsibility of members of the Government in the House of Lords, who have no Parliamentary Secretary in the Commons.
§ Mr. HughesDoes the Prime Minister recollect that in his more responsible days he referred to the House of Lords as a Punch and Judy show? Does he not think that we should have an opportunity of hearing the explanation of those gentlemen here?