House of Lords Reform Bill

Mike Gapes Excerpts

Monday 3rd September 2012 Commons Chamber

[The Deputy Prime Minister]

That was a fair description of the politics inside the Chamber, but my right hon. Friend’s last point is more important. If anyone really thinks that we can duck these issues for ever—that the House of Lords can carry on growing in size or that, in the 21st century, it is comprehensible to the British people that Members in the other place should be able to craft the laws of the land, getting £300 tax-free every day just for turning up—they should think again.

[Mike Gapes (Ilford South) (Lab/Co-op)]

The Deputy Prime Minister will know that the Boundary Commission for England is due to publish revised proposals in the middle of October. What is the point of that and how much will it cost?

[The Deputy Prime Minister]

I have answered that question several times.