THE EARL OF ARRANMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, in view of their avowed intention to eliminate the hereditary basis of the House of Lords, it is their further intention to eliminate the hereditary basis of other institutions; and, if so, of which.]
§ THE LORD PRIVY SEAL (THE EARL OF LONGFORD)No, my Lords.
THE EARL OF ARRANMy Lords, may we take it that that Answer by the noble Earl the Leader of the House applies to that grandest of all our hereditary institutions, the Monarchy?
§ THE EARL OF LONGFORDMy Lords, I am sure that if any proposal to reform the House of Lords imperilled or in any way impaired the strength of the Monarchy in this country, there is no member of the Government, and I am sure no Member of this House, who would touch such a proposal with a bargepole.
THE EARL OF ARRANMy Lords, will the noble Earl and Her Majesty's Government recognise that the answer he has just given will give deep satisfaction throughout the country?
§ THE EARL OF LONGFORDI am very grateful to the noble Earl. It is seldom that one is able to say anything that is at once so popular and so true.