House of Lords: Number of Members Debate

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Department: Cabinet Office

House of Lords: Number of Members

Lord Norton of Louth Excerpts
Wednesday 16th September 2020

(4 years, 1 month ago)

Lords Chamber
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Lord Norton of Louth Portrait Lord Norton of Louth (Con) [V]
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Does my noble friend accept that an upper limit on the size of the House would impose a valuable discipline upon the Government in selecting nominees to fill a vacancy, and, combined with the other recommendations of the Burns committee, ensure a House that was not only smaller but more balanced than the existing House?

Lord True Portrait Lord True (Con)
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No, my Lords. The cardinal facts of this House—which is unique, and that is one of its splendours—are that it is unelected, its Members sit for life and it cannot be dissolved. In those circumstances, the question of a cap raises profound constitutional questions, which, as the previous Prime Minister said, deserve reflection.