Oral Answers to Questions

John Pugh Excerpts

Tuesday 20th December 2011 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Bob Blackman is not here. I call Dr John Pugh.

[John Pugh (Southport) (LD)]

10. What recent progress he has made on reforming the House of Lords; and if he will make a statement.

[The Deputy Prime Minister (Mr Nick Clegg)]

A Joint Committee of both Houses is currently scrutinising the Government’s White Paper and draft Bill, which we published last May. The Committee is making good progress, and today the other place is debating a motion proposing an extension enabling it to report by 27 March next year.

[John Pugh]

Does the Deputy Prime Minister agree that if we have an unreformed and larger House of Lords and a smaller House of Commons in 2015, with the payroll vote constituting a larger percentage, it will be a huge step backwards for democracy in this country? We cannot take an à la carte attitude to constitutional reform.

[The Deputy Prime Minister]

I do not think that there is anything à la carte about the White Paper and the draft Bill and the scrutiny to which they are being subjected by a Joint Committee. Indeed, I do not think that there is anything à la carte or arbitrary left in a debate that has been raging for more than 100 years. I think that it would be a big step forward for democracy if we were finally to secure elections to a Chamber which, let us remember, makes the laws of this land, but is as yet not directly legitimate and accountable, through the ballot box, to the people of this country.