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House of Lords Bill [HL]

Of course the working group is considering the discussions on reform in your Lordships’ House in the light of the votes of both Houses. However, I have to say to the noble and learned Lord, Lord Howe, for whom I have great respect, that the critical vote took place in the House of Commons, which all noble Lords in discussing Lords reform in general have acknowledged in terms of primacy. We are moving ahead in those discussions—and, eventually, I hope in the White Paper—on the basis of an elected second Chamber and of the two options for which the House of Commons voted: 80 per cent and 100 per cent. I have been asked about the commitment made by my noble and learned friend Lord Irvine of Lairg. He said that until the second stage of House of Lords reform had taken place, the amendment that he was addressing, "““reflects a compromise negotiated between Privy Counsellors on Privy Council terms and binding in honour on all those who have come to give it their assent””." He later went on to say: "““But the 10 per cent will go only when stage two has taken place. So it is guaranteed that it will take place””.—[Official Report, 30/3/1999; col. 207.]" I might add that because this matter was debated in the other place on 7 March 2007—