PARLIAMENTARY REFORM

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25609, 25 September 1948, Page 7

PARLIAMENTARY REFORM

BILL REJECTED BY LORDS

(Rec. 7 p.m.) LONDON, Sept. 23. The House of Lords rejected the second reading of the Parliament Bill by 204 votes to 34. , In moving the second reading of the bill, the Lord Privy Seal (Viscount Addison) hinted that some amendment might have been made but for the strict provisions of the Parliament Act under which the bill could not be amended. “We will agree that a non-elected chamber shall t be the final arbitrator of the will of the people,” he added. The Marquess of Salisbury, replying for the Opposition, said: “If this bill was not introduced to facilitate the nationalisation of the iron and steel industry, then what other controversial measures were mentioned? The public should be told something about the undisclosed measures.’’

He said that the bill was a “blatant and open attack upon the British people to deprive them of an essential safeguard against hasty or irresponsible government.” , The Opposition in the House of Lords could not go further in compromising with the Government without destroying the function of the House of Lords as a second chamber, said Lord Salisbury. The bill will now go back to the House of Commons, where it will- be reintroduced in the next session begining on October 25. It can become law in spite of the opposition of the House of Lords if it is passed by the House of Commons in three successive sessions within two years