A Spectator's Notebook
TT looks as if the reform of the House of Lords were -I- once again to be a public question. Ever since John Russell in 1869 proposed the, creation of life peers, the debate has rumbled on in our political hinterland. It was one of Lord Rosebery's chief preoccupations, but he »ever succeeded in getting anything done beyond the appointment of a Select Committee which reported in 1908. The matter became urgent under Mr. Asquith's Government; and Lord Lansdowne introduced a Bill in 1911, which was dropped owing to the Parliament Act. At the end of the War we had the Bryce Report, which was stillborn, and in 1927 came Lord Cave's proposals, which found little approval in the Conmons. It is a real problem, if we intend to improve our mechanism of government. For one thing we need a better method of certifying a Bill as a Money Bill, and for another some reform in the structure of the Lords is overdue. It would appear that the Conservative Party intend to concentrate on the improvement of the composition of the Upper House. A smaller and more select house of Lords could perform the duty of a Second Chamber in suspending or revising a Bill with the authority which comes only from the respect and approval of the nation. But it would be wise not to attempt to enlarge its powers. The Commons must have the last word, though the speaking of it may reasonably be delayed pending fuller
consideration. * * * *
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