House of Lords Reform (Draft Bill)

Mike Gapes Excerpts

Tuesday 17th May 2011 Commons Chamber

[The Deputy Prime Minister]

Those powers of the European Parliament were ultimately changed because of a negotiation between it and national Governments. The conclusion we have reached, and which several other committees and cross-party commissions that have looked at this in the past have also reached, is that the way to avoid opening that Pandora’s box is simply by asserting that the balance of power will remain as it is and as reflected in the Parliament Acts. That is exactly what we are proposing.

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

The Deputy Prime Minister has clearly had a difficult few weeks. May I give him some advice? I suggest that when he leaves the House today he speeds to the airport and gets a plane first to Sweden and then to New Zealand so that he can see how effective unicameral Parliaments work, and then he can come back with a different proposal.

[The Deputy Prime Minister]

I think the hon. Gentleman is suggesting that we should come forward with a proposal to abolish the other place altogether.

[Mike Gapes]

indicated assent.

[The Deputy Prime Minister]

That would probably meet an even more noisy reception than the balanced package that we have put forward today.