MORE POWER

Grey River Argus, 11 February 1943, Page 5

MORE POWER

British House of Lords BEAVERBROOK’S CONTENTION. (Rec. 12.26.) LONDON, Feb. 9. Drawing attention to the change in Britain’s constitutional structure, “which occur led almost unnoticed and without any particular enactments,” Lord Beaverbrook, in the House of Lords said that it had given the upper chamber greater influence and power than at any time in the last thirty years. Lord Beaverbrook contended that the House of Commons no longer represented the constituencies. It had prolonged its life by statute and co-opted nearly one hundred members without consultation of the electorate. (Lord Beaverbrook presumably referred to members returned unopposed). Recalling the last general election held in 1935, Lord Beaverbrook said that the present House of Commons was different. The majority of the members had been elected on peace issues and to preserve the limitation of arms. Their mandate was no longer valid. The continued existence of this Parliament was dependent upon the decision of the House of Lords because, if the Lords refused to agree, an appeal to the country would become necessary. Lord Beaverbrook accepted the Government motion that the debate being initiated on the work of the Ministry of Aircraft Production should be secret, saying that while this constitutional revolution remained, the Lords must discharge its new duty.