HOUSE OF LORDS.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18928, 17 February 1927, Page 9

HOUSE OF LORDS.

ITS HEREDITARY CHARACTER.

DEBATE IN COMMONS

,BT CABLE-rBE»S 4SIOCXATIOIT—COPTSIOHT.) (At'STKALIAIf AXD S.Z. CJIELB ASSOCIATIOH.) (lleccivod February 16th, G.SO p.m.) LONDON, February 15. In the House of Commons, during i In.- :lfliato on the Estimates, a discus.•■ion arose on the reform of the House <>l Lords.. Mr Uerald Hurst (Conservative) moved a motion in favour of reducing the hereditary character of the I'ppcr chamber. Professor H. U. Lees Smith (Labour; moved an amendment, declaring that the proposed change;, i n the House ol Lords wore intended to gerrymander ilit- constitution in the interests of the Conservative Party. .Mr E. Thurtlo (Labour), in secundum tlio amendment, emphasised the fact that the Labour Party stood for Single Chamber government. It would, however, rather havo the honest stupHity of hereditary Peers than the enlightened cunning of ennobled industrialist ». Mr Ramsay Mac Donald said that the Tories wanted to remain iu power after they were kicked out of office. They were beginning to see the end of their tether. Sir \\\ Joynson-Hiehs declined to outline the Government's policv in the matter, but said that it was" determined to carry out its pledges. The debate ended without a division.