Commons Financial Privilege Debate

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Department: Leader of the House

Commons Financial Privilege

Christian Matheson Excerpts
Wednesday 28th October 2015

(9 years, 1 month ago)

Commons Chamber
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Lord Grayling Portrait Chris Grayling
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I know that my hon. Friend thinks that, along with a number of other Members. Certainly, as a result of Monday’s activities, that debate is likely to restart in this Parliament, having not continued in the previous one.

Christian Matheson Portrait Christian Matheson (City of Chester) (Lab)
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Does the Leader of the House not accept that the other place has a constitutional role to provide pause to this House when it feels that we have taken a decision that is wrong and out of sync with the feelings of the country? Why should we take seriously his views on the powers of the other place, and indeed the views of Government Members, given that he is continuing to pack that House with 50-odd new peers at the same time as slashing the number of elected Members of this House by 50?

Lord Grayling Portrait Chris Grayling
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The simple reality is that this House has now voted for these changes five times—prior to Monday it was three times. Ultimately, it must be the elected House of Commons that has the final say on these matters, which is why the actions of the House of Lords were, in my view, unacceptable.