THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIANasked the Prime Minister why the vacancies in the Scotch Representative Peers had not been filled up? One of the vacancies had existed for six or seven months. It was 1336 not right that the matter should so remain, nor was their Lordships' House properly constituted while two vacancies were allowed to continue without giving the Scotch Peers an opportunity of filling them. He begged to ask the noble Earl when the elections were likely to take place?
THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY AND LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL (The Earl of ROSEBERY)It would have been more convenient if I had had notice of my noble Friend's question before he rose to put it. He will quite understand that I am, on principle, averse to answering questions on behalf of the Government without previous notice, but I will make the remark that we have no particular interest, as a Government, in hurrying to fill up vacancies among the Representative Peers for Scotland, because the election of more can only add to the majority which we have so permanently against us in this House. Our attention has, however, been directed to the matter, and I believe some communication has been made on the subject to my noble Friend. I rather think the delay has arisen from the noble Marquess himself, who is usually the motive power in these matters.
THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIANdisclaimed altogether that he was the motive power in these matters, or that while he was Secretary for Scotland he had anything to do with the Party colour of those elected to represent the Scotch Peerage in that House.