House of Lords: Reform

Lord Maclennan of Rogart Excerpts

Wednesday 21st July 2010 Lords Chamber

[Lord McNally]

That is why I think that the present arrangements, where the Government have no overall working majority, work excellently.

[Lord Maclennan of Rogart]

In the lead-up to the publication of the reform Bill at the end of this calendar year, will the Government consider proposals to delimit the functions of the two Chambers better to share out the burdens of parliamentary scrutiny and to enhance the effectiveness of our oversight?

[Lord McNally]

I think that that is the kind of discussion that can go on in parallel with the proposals of my right honourable friend the Deputy Prime Minister on the reform of this House and the work that is going on in reforming the working procedures of the other place. The activities that are going on at both ends will help to make both Chambers more efficient and better at doing their proper job of, as my noble friend said, holding the Executive to account and properly scrutinising legislation.