HC Deb 16 July 1968 vol 768 cc1249-50
Q4. Mr. Marten

asked the Prime Minister on what date he proposes to introduce legislation to reform the House of Lords.

Q9. Mr. William Hamilton

asked the Prime Minister whether he will now introduce interim legislation, this Session, to abolish the delaying powers of the House of Lords.

The Prime Minister

I have as yet nothing to add to the statement I made to the House on 20th June and to the Answers I gave to Questions on 25th June, 2nd July and 9th July.

Mr. Marten

But when the right hon. Gentleman told the House that he would introduce legislation at an early date, is he aware that some people thought he would? Does the delay mean that perhaps the Government are not unanimous about basing legislation upon the all-party proposals to which the Prime Minister paid so much tribute?

The Prime Minister

The hon. Gentleman is, no doubt, still traumatically affected by having been a member of a Government which gave a pledge that it would not introduce the Rent Act and then did. As to the rest of his Question, I said that we shall introduce legislation at an early date: we shall introduce legislation at an early date.

Mr. Hamilton

Would my right hon. Friend not agree that the implementation of the suggestion contained in Question Q9 would mean a very short, simple Bill which could be introduced this Session and would prevent the emasculation of the legislative programme of this Government between now and the election, and that it is imperative that it should be done very quickly?

The Prime Minister

As to legislation to deal purely with powers, this has been considered at various times in the past and more recently. It is not the best way, I think, of dealing with the problem which was brought into public prominence two or three weeks ago by the action of right hon. Gentlemen.

Dr. Winstanley

Since the right hon. Gentleman has rejected both birth and election as methods of entry of the House of Lords, and since there are, possibly, objections to a second Chamber wholly nominated by him or his successors, would he reconsider his right hon. Friend's suggestion for a national lottery with peerages as prizes? [Laughter.]

Mr. Speaker

Order. We must come back from Gilbert and Sullivan to the Question.

Mr. Emrys Hughes

Since the Prime Minister is now dealing with a Standing Commission for Museums, will he consider asking it to take over the House of Lords?

The Prime Minister

No, Sir, I do not think that that is relevant to this Question. However, the suggestion of the hon. Member for Cheadle (Dr. Winstanley) has very well-known Liberal antecedents.