On Monday Lord Lansdowne introduced his Bill for the re-constitution
of the House of Lords. The House as re-con- stituted will contain rather fewer than 350 members, composed as follows :-
One hundred elected by the whole body of hereditary Peers from among those hereditary Peers who possess any of the qualifications set out in the schedule. One hundred and twenty elected for electoral districts—the election to be by electoral colleges com- posed of the members of the House of Commons for constituencies within each electoral district. One hundred appointed on the advice of the Ministry of the day, in proportion to the strength of parties in the House of Commons. The Archbishops of Canterbury and York, and five bishops elected by the arch- bishops and bishops of England and Wales. Sixteen Peers who have held high judicial office. The term of office of a Lord of Parliament would be twelve years, one fourth, as nearly as may be, of each category retiring every third year. The order of retire- ment of those first appointed would be determined by ballot. The two archbishops would sit during tenure of their respective Sees. Peers qualified by high judicial office would sit for life. Elections to secure the representation of minorities. The creation of new hereditary peerages would be limited to not more than five in any one year, but this provision is not to prevent an hereditary peerage being conferred upon any person who is already an hereditary Peer or who holds, or has held, the office of Cabinet Minister. A Peer unless a Lord of Parliament would be eligible for election to the House of Commons.
