§ Q6. Mr. William Hamiltonasked the Prime Minister whether he is now in a position to make a statement on the talks with other party leaders on the question of House of Lords reform.
§ The Prime MinisterThe inter-party discussions are still continuing and I have, as yet, no information to give the House.
§ Mr. HamiltonCan my right hon. Friend meanwhile give some comfort to hon. Members on this side by telling us that the talks are moving smoothly towards deadlock? In any event will he repeat the assurance that in no circumstances will the powers of the other place be increased?
§ The Prime MinisterIf that is my hon. Friend's idea of comfort, I can certainly give him no such assurance. To develop further on that theme would be to breach the confidentiality of these talks. As to the position of the powers, I would refer my hon. Friend to what was said in the debate on the Gracious Speech last year.
§ Sir A. V. HarveyWould the Prime Minister not agree that last week the House of Lords came out rather well, in spite of the Government's muddled mismanagement of affairs.
§ The Prime MinisterI thought that they came out rather late.
§ Mr. SpeakerMr. Bishop—Sir Frederic Bennett.