HC Deb 06 March 2001 vol 364 c200W
52. Mr. Gordon Prentice

To ask the President of the Council what progress is being made on setting up the Joint Committee on the reform of the House of Lords. [150791]

Mr. Tipping

My right hon. Friend the President of the Council announced on 3 July 2000,Official Report, column 92W, that the Government aimed to establish a Joint Committee of both Houses to consider the parliamentary implications of the Royal Commission on Reform of the House of Lords so that it should begin work as soon as possible after the summer recess.

Unfortunately, discussions with the other parties in both Houses on the membership and precise terms of reference failed to reach agreement. We have therefore concluded that there is little present prospect of setting up a Joint Committee in the present Parliament.