* * Reforming the Lords The House of Lords reform
scheme drafted by a number of Conservatives is sufficiently ingenious to make it interesting and backed by names sufficiently influential to give it some. authority. The aim Of the scheme is to make the Second Chamber more representative and less here- ditary, though the hereditary element is still to figure largely, in the shape of 150 hereditary peers elected by their fellows, companioned by another 150 persons to be elected by county and borough councils, together with 20 others variously appointed. The odd provision is added (for the benefit of the Labour Party) that any member of the reformed House with an income of less than £600 a year. shall have it made up to that figure. The real point of the scheme is the proposal to give the new Chamber more extensive powers than the present House of Lords possesses under the Parliament Act. If the Conservative Party as a whole endorses the new plan it will be making considerable trouble for itself. Whether an elected Second Chamber should have power to hold up Bills passed by the commons till they have been submitted to the voters at a General Election is a matter for reasonable controversy. But new powers are not to be given at this time of day to a body dependent, as to close on 50.per ,cent, of its membership, on the accident of birth..
