HC Deb 25 June 1968 vol 767 cc236-8
Ql. Mr. Whitaker

asked the Prime Minister if he will now make a statement on his proposals to introduce legislation to reform the House of Lords.

The Prime Minister (Mr. Harold Wilson)

I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement which I made to the House on 20th June.—[Vol. 766, c. 1314–28.]

Mr. Whitaker

But is it not only fair that we treat their Lordships' views with all due respect, in particular their resilution of March, 1910, when they said that hereditary peers should no longer sit or vote in that Chamber? Can we, therefore, no longer frustrate their wishes but bring in legislation this Session?

The Prime Minister

All relevant considerations, including expressions of opinion as long ago as 1910, will be taken into account.

Mr. Maudling

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell us when he expects to have this legislation on the Statute Book?

The Prime Minister

No, Sir. I am not in a position to add to what I said last week about the timing of the Bill.

Mr. William Hamilton

In view of the wrecking activities in the other place yesterday, will my right hon. Friend consider the possibility of extending the current Session so that we can deal with this matter forthwith?

The Prime Minister

I do not think that it is appropriate for me to comment on a single day's activities on a Bill which has gone from this House to another place. No doubt we can consider all these questions in due course.

Mr. Tapsell

Has the right hon. Gentleman noted that his belligerent attitude to the House of Lords is almost universally regarded as irrelevant to our present national problems and as a deliberate attempt to divert attention from them?

The Prime Minister

I have heard that some hon. Gentlemen think this, but the hon. Member will recognise that the initiative in this matter last week was not taken on this side of the House.

Mr. C. Pannell

Is my right hon. Friend aware that his statement last week on the House of Lords was pitched in a highly responsible tone which is out of keeping with the derisive treatment which should be accorded to it?

The Prime Minister

I always believe, on such occasions, in taking refuge in understatement.

Mr. Sandys

While the need to reform the position of the Second Chamber is generally accepted, does not the Prime Minister realise that, by attempting to alter our Parliamentary constitution without all-party agreement and without referring his proposals to the electors, he is setting a very dangerous precedent?

The Prime Minister

No, Sir. This has already been before the electors twice. As for all-party agreement, there was every opportunity on this all-party committee which was wrecked by the tactical manoeuvre of right hon. Gentlemen opposite.

Dr. Winstanley

While recognising that the House of Lords is out-of-date, unrepresentative, undemocratic and—per- haps worst of all—Tory, and while reiterating our support for this reform, may I ask the Prime Minister at the same time to recognise that it would be unfortunate if the preoccupation with this reform, both here and outside, were to divert attention from the very real problems which are at present facing the nation?

The Prime Minister

I always feel that it is good when someone like the hon. Gentleman can approach the problem in such an objective way, as his choice of words showed. There is no question of this necessary reform interfering with what must be the first priority for any Government in the present circumstances, and that is the economic situation.

Mr. Emrys Hughes

Is my right hon. Friend aware that, when we come to dealing with the House of Lords, the guillotine will be necessary? Will he see that it is ready and sharpened up for the occasion?

The Prime Minister

I will see that my hon. Friend is provided with suitable knitting.

Mr. Maudling

What possible reason can the right hon. Gentleman have for saying that the inter-party discussions on the future of the House of Lords were wrecked by the constitutional action of the present Chamber?

The Prime Minister

For the reason I gave last week; that this was quite clearly a manoeuvre which began in this House.