REFORM OF HOUSE OF LORDS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 187, 27 April 1918, Page 7

REFORM OF HOUSE OF LORDS

REPORT OF PARLIAMENTARY CONFERENCE London, April, 23. Viscount Bryce lias presented the report 'of the Conference on the Reform of •the House of Lords. In a covering letter he states that the Conference surveyed the whole constitutional position with the view of creating an efficient Second Chamber, either by modifying the present House of Lords or constituting a practically new Second Chamber. The ; Conference derived great benefit frpin the ■ study of existing Second Chambers in ■ foreign countries and the British Dominions. . Tho Conference agreed upon making the popular element in the Chamber pre- | dominant, but did not favour nomina-, Hon bv the Crown or direct election on the- same basis as for the House of Commons, which would render the Second Chamber little better than a duplicate of the House of Commons. The Conference largely adopted a method of election by members of the House of Commons grouped in territorial areas. It also adopted a plan of voliuK b.v proportional representtaion. in order to secure due representation of all political parties. The Conference decided to divide Great Britain into, thirteen areas corresponding to the ancient divisions of the country, out of which the United Kingdom had grown. The total number of members chosen by this plan would bo ,246, or 273 if Ireland were included. •' The Conference, having thus given a popular character to the Chamber, next sought a method to preserve the historical continuity of the new Chamber with the ancient House of Lords. The Conference agreed that part of the Chamber should be, chosen from the peers, and that a certain nmall number should betaken from"the Enisconal Bench. In fixing the numbe't from the, existing House it was thought'proper to make tho number larger at the outset, in order to find room for peers who had been active in private life, than it need be in future vears. Tho Conference recommended 81 us the number, these to be gradually reduced to 30, the remaining 51 seats ultimately to be open to persons who need not be peers. Tho members for this section of the Chamber to be chosen by a joint Standing Committee of lwth Houses. Tho tenure of both sections to be twelve years, one-thivd of the members retiring every four years. The selection by the joint committee would always precede the election of territorial groups. Should the Second Chamber continue its appellate jurisdiction, the Law Lords to remain ex officio members. Members of the Royal House would similarly be retained. The clergy of the Anglican, Roman Catholic, British, and Irish Churches should be eligible for election. The Conference discussed 1 tho admission of members -representing the Overseas Dominions, but tho terms of reference precluded any recommendation; -but it trusts the Government will consider the subject.. 'A joint committee of both Houses should decide when tho Second Chamber .should' have power to deal with a Bill when doubts arose whether it was purely a money Bill. Disagreement be-, tween the. Chambers should also be settled by a joint conference. The question of solving a deadlock by referendum was considerably supported, but the Conference rejected the idea.