REFORM OF THE HOUSE OF LORDS
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] 8111,-1 read with interest the article under the above heading in your issue of November 6th, and noticed the suggestion, which seems to he part of Sir John Ross's scheme, that the House should include amongst its representatives " a hundred temporary Members who might be nominated by the Crown on the advice of the Prime Minister." It appears to me that this offers a splendid opportunity for the non-political repre- sentation of the business interests of the country in the House of Legislature. I suggest that one seat each in the House of Lords be allotted to such associations as the Federation of British Industries, Associated Chambers of Commerce, Institute of Chartered Accountants, Law Society, British Medical Association, Trades Union Congress and other professional and commercial bodies and trade unions.
Application for a -fixed number of seats should be called for, and these should be allotted by a committee of the House on which all parties are equally represented. Each association which had been allotted a seat would then appoint its own representative, who would hold his seat until ha resigned, was removed, or his association lost its representia- tion. It is impossible for any professional association or trade union which has the interests of its members at heart to take sides in politics, and this scheme will give the big commercial interests who pay the piper a chance to call the tune.
The above plan, no doubt, is already included in some of the suggested reforms, and has, I know, been raised before in principle ; but what I wish to emphasize is that the election, or appointment, of such members should be as far removed from party politics as possible, and not left in the hands of any one party. A representation of this nature in the House of Lords would certainly enhance the authority of that House, and would be an advance in the direction of government by practical business men as against professional politicians.—I am, Sir, &c.,
32 Brancote Road, Orton, Birkenhead.- G. J. SAUNDERS.
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