BRITISH PARLIAMENT

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 35, 11 February 1943, Page 5

BRITISH PARLIAMENT

Changes In Constitutional Structure INCREASED POWER OF LORDS Rec. 9.30 a.m. LONDON, Feb. 10. Drawing attention to the change in Britain's constitutional structure, "which has occurred almost unnoticed and without any particular enactments," Lord Beaverbrook, in the House of Lords, said that it had given the Upper Chamber greater influence and power than at any time in the last 30 years. He contended that the House of Commons no longer represented the constituencies. It had prolonged its life by statute and had co-optecfinearly 100 members without consultation of their electorates. (Lord Beaverbrook presumably referred to members returned unopposed.) , , „ Recalling the last general election, held in 1935, Lord Beaverbrook said the present House of Commons "had a different majority from the members elected on peace issues and to preserve the limitation of arms. Their mandate was no longer valid. The continued existence of this Parliament was dependent upon the decision of the House of Lords, because, if the Lords refused to agree an appeal to the country would become necessary." Lord Beaverorook accepted the Government motion that the debate he was initiating on the work of the Ministry of Aircraft ' Production should be secret, saying that, while this constitutional revolution remained, the Lords must discharge its new duty. %