§ Mr. MitchellTo ask the Prime Minister what(a) consultations he has held and (b) reports he has commissioned on (i) abolition of the sitting and voting rights of hereditary peers in the House of Lords and (ii) other reforms of the membership of the House of Lords; and when he proposes to take action on these issues. [55393]
§ The Prime MinisterThe Government will fulfil their Manifesto commitment to abolish the rights of hereditary peers to sit and vote in the House of Lords as a918W self-contained measure, without further consultation. The Manifesto also made clear our commitment to a wide-ranging review leading to proposals for further comprehensive reform of the House. We intend to establish a time-limited Royal commission to undertake a full examination of the longer term issues. In the meantime we are committed to changing the way that peers are appointed to the transitional House to ensure that the process is modern, transparent and fair.