Business of the House Debate

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Department: Leader of the House

Business of the House

Kevin Brennan Excerpts
Thursday 15th September 2016

(7 years, 7 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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David Lidington Portrait Mr Lidington
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I am afraid that what goes on in Committees is certainly not a matter for me. On the broader point, there was a statement on this and related matters quite recently by the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my hon. Friend the Member for Bournemouth East (Mr Ellwood). The best thing I can do is point the hon. Member for East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow (Dr Cameron) towards Foreign and Commonwealth Office questions, which will be in the week after we get back.

Kevin Brennan Portrait Kevin Brennan (Cardiff West) (Lab)
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If the Leader of the House will not listen to the will of the current House, which is against the reduction from 650 Members to 600, may I suggest a debate on reducing the numbers in the Lords? Could we take a lesson from sport and introduce a squad system, whereby each party could nominate active peers, including Cross Benchers, thereby reducing the numbers voting in the Lords and ending the ridiculous situation where there are far more peers than elected MPs?

David Lidington Portrait Mr Lidington
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My regret is that when this House had the opportunity to vote for thoroughgoing House of Lords reform, this House chose not to do so.