THE HOUSE OF LORDS.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 13226, 21 September 1908, Page 7

THE HOUSE OF LORDS.

REPORT OF LORD ROSEBERY'S COMMITTEE.

United Press Electric Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, September 19. The -"Daily Express" says tho majority of Lord Rosebery'a Committoo recommend that the House of Lords bo popularised by the election of representative commoners, who would sit during the life of a Parliament, sad bo elijriblo for re-election. The House of Lords, last year, as a counter-move to the Government's campaign against them, appointed a committee of twenty-five "to consider the suggestions which havo from timo to timo been mado for increasing tho efficiency of the House of Lords in matters affecting legislation and to report as to th© desirability of adopting them cither in their original or in some modified form." Lord: Newton's Bill, then before the House, abolishing tho hereditary right to sit in tho House, and providing that representative Peers should bo elected to the House, and that Peers who had been prominent in public life should have o right to seats, was then withdrawn. Lord Ro&ebery, the chairman of tho committee, has stoutly attacked the constitution of tho House of Lords, but would rather have it as it stands than any singlo Chamber system. Lord Ourzon says Unionists should meet throe principal criticisms urged House of Lord_«—its undue numbers and sparse attendance, the absence from it of representatives of importaiit_classes, and the excessive predominance of ono political party. Tho late Duke of Devonsliire, in, debate, mentioned the same objections. The Government dissociated themselves from the appointment of the committeo by the House.