§ Q4. Mr. Loughlinasked the Prime Minister if he will introduce legislation during the lifetime of this Parliament for the abolition of the House of Lords.
§ The Prime MinisterNo, Sir.
§ Mr. LoughlinWhy not? Has not the right hon. Gentleman himself shown scant regard for the hereditary principle and for the other place? Is it not farcical that he himself should come here and that we should promote a Member of this House to the other place in order to enable Mr. Hogg to get a safe seat to come here? Is it not time that we got rid of this Gilbert and Sullivan situation?
§ The Prime MinisterI think that there is general appreciation in the country that the House of Lords is necessary and valuable. As far as my own experience goes, this is a case in which absence makes the heart grow fonder.
§ Mr. Maxwell-HyslopHas my right hon. Friend advised Her Majesty to confer a peerage on the Deputy Leader of the Opposition, or is there, perhaps, some other reason for his absence?
§ Mr. ShinwellIf the right hon. Gentleman regards the other place as so valuable, why did he leave it? Does he not agree that, now that he has left it, it is much weaker than it was? Therefore, what is the use of retaining it?
§ The Prime MinisterI have never believed in the doctrine of indispensability. There are plenty of good people in another place.