§ 11.5 a.m.
§ LORD ALPORTMy Lords, may I first apologise for not having been in my place at Question Time yesterday? In the second place, may I ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper?
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether it is intended that the inter-Party talks on the reform of the House of Lords should be resumed before legislation is introduced in the forthcoming Session.]
§ LORD BESWICKMy Lords, on behalf of my noble friend the Leader of the House, I have to say that I regret I am unable to make any statement at present.
§ LORD ALPORTMy Lords, may I ask the noble Lord whether that means—if it means anything—that the Government are content with the degree of unanimity which has been achieved, if indeed it has, with regard to the reform of the House of Lords and therefore do not consider that there is any reason for restarting the talks; or whether they no longer regard unanimity or agreement between the Parties as being necessary in order to carry through these reforms?
§ LORD BESWICKMy Lords, what the Answer means is what it says: that I am unable to say anything at the present time. So far as agreement is concerned, it has always been the view of noble Lords on this side of the House that agreement is preferable, if it can be obtained.