§ 46. Mr. Haleasked the Prime Minister whether he is now in a position to announce the Government's proposals for reform of the House of Lords.
§ Mr. HaleBut surely the right hon. Gentleman is aware that this was about the only item in the Tory programme at the last Election and it was a definite promise that steps would be taken? Is he further aware that the practice of making another place a mausoleum for distressed and retired Tory Ministers, whose incapacity has become so great as to be noticeable even amongst their colleagues, has aggravated the situation? Is he further aware that 90 per cent. of the Members do not attend, that absenteeism is rampant amongst both dukes and bishops, and if the Government have no policy, will he consult the chairman of the National Coal Board as to how to deal with unproductive units?
Mr. ButlerThe reflections on another place, and on those going to it, hardly reflect with any satisfaction upon the former Leader of the Opposition, the hon. Gentleman's principal chief. As regards the details of our policy at the last Election, almost every item in our Election policy has already been carried out, as I propose to indicate in a speech at the forthcoming weekend, of which I will send a copy to the hon. Gentleman for greater convenience. As regards the House of Lords itself, we have plenty of ideas, but I am not in a position to announce the proposals of the Government, and therefore I have given the hon. Gentleman the only clear answer I could give him.
§ Dame Irene WardAm I right in assuming from the statement of my right hon. Friend that progress is being made with proposals which Her Majesty's Government intend to put forward, in view of the fact that many Conservatives are interested in moving forward in this direction?
Mr. ButlerYes, Sir. The hon. Lady may be satisfied that the mental processes of the Government are always in a state of progress.