HOUSE OF LORDS FEARED BEING LED INTO TRAP—HALIFAX

Wanganui Chronicle, 4 February 1948, Page 5

HOUSE OF LORDS FEARED BEING LED INTO TRAP—HALIFAX

(N.Z.P.A.—Copyright.) Recd. 7.30 p.m. London, Feb. 3 The House of Lords adjourned the Parliament Bill debate when the Government leader. Lord Addison, announced that the Government was prepared to explore the possibility of the delaying powers of the House of Lords being more than one year—as at present proposed—and less than two. Lord Addison’s statement showed that the Government was now prepared immediately to enter into an all-party conference on the House of Loras reform, says the Parliamentary correspondent of "The Times. The Government now only asks that the Bill “should either be passed with or without the agreed amendment or rejected by the House before the end of the present session.” This would provide an interval of six months for discussions about the possible reform scheme before proceedings on the Bill need be resumed. Lord Addison’s promise followed intervention by Lord Halifax after Lord Salisbury and other peers had criticised the Government's second condition because it might mean the abolition of the peers' suspensory veto. Lord Halifax said each side seemed fearful of being led into a trap. Lord Salisbury then suggested that the Government alter the condition so that discussions be limited to the power of delay. Lord Addison agreed to put the suggestion to the Government.