Oral Answers to Questions

Laura Sandys Excerpts

Tuesday 5th July 2011 Commons Chamber

[Penny Mordaunt (Portsmouth North) (Con)]

1. What recent discussions he has had with constitutional historians and experts on House of Lords reform; and if he will make a statement.

[Laura Sandys (South Thanet) (Con)]

4. What recent progress he has made on his plans for House of Lords reform; and if he will make a statement.

[Nicky Morgan (Loughborough) (Con)]

8. What recent representations he has received on House of Lords reform.

--- Later in debate ---

[Laura Sandys (South Thanet) (Con)]

One matter of great concern in this Chamber is that the other place is most certainly secondary to it. Does my right hon. Friend see the opportunity to remove any ability for the other place to initiate legislation as a way to ensure the hierarchy between this place and the other place?

[The Deputy Prime Minister]

As we explained in our White Paper, we believe that the different mandates, electoral systems and terms of office, and of course the conventions enshrined in the Parliament Acts, will guarantee that although there will no doubt be an evolution in the relationship between the two Houses—that is bound to happen under any arrangement—the hierarchy between this place and the other place will remain intact.