HOUSE OF LORDS

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 50, 28 August 1922, Page 7

HOUSE OF LORDS

REFORM PROPOSALS

A SMALLER CHAMBER (MOM 001 OWN COMMMIMIn.) :\ LONDON, 13th July. A Oabinet Committee;, entrusted with the task of formulating the House of Lords, Reform proposals was set up two years ago, and in the intervals of more eKoiting business ite chief members—Lord Birkenhcad, Lord Curron^ Mr. Winston Churcflili, \ and Mr. Austen Cluurnberlsin — have had long and at one time frequent discussions. LMterljf, with Lord Ounon and Mr. Chamberl»in ill, the diGcueeioa has spread to> the Cabinet as a. whole, and various memoranda and proposals have been circulated among members of the Oabinet.

It is now Mated that the resolutions have reached what in practically their final form, and: io all probability the Cabinet «ilj agrac to have then laid on the table of the Upper House shortly. Lord Curzon, as Leader of the House, is to move the resolutions, and he will introduce them as. soon as he is *blo to resume his attendance in the House. So far as is known, it is not proposed to restore the veto of th» Housa of Lords'as it existed in days, prior to the passing of the Parliament Act, but it m stated /that certain modification*, are suggested .which ■would enable th» House bettor to di»charge its duties as a revieiny Chamber. The intention is that the Second Chamber should be smaller in ite numbers, and more representative in ita composition. It is gathered that the proposals of the Govexiu»e«t contemplate «n elected section and » selected section. As regard* the latter, it is the view of many Unionists that it should consist principally of peers elected by the peerage^from among their own number. Whether that plan, which b*s been pressed upon the Govern, moot, is followed in the reajtutions remains to bo eqen. \ The question of money. Bills is dealt -with in the resolutions. Unionist Ministens have stood out for an alteration of the system under which the duty of certifying a Bill as a money Bill tests in the hands of the Speaker of the House of Oommouft, It m«y be found that a detinite Imnciple is laid down i(t this connection,: and that * measure will onlj be regarded as coming in the category of money Bilk if it contains proposals for raising direct revenue.

It is thought by a .section of people that the resolutions are'iramod. to seek enlightenment and to see what Parliament and the country think about the mvtter.