John McDonnell
Pensions Bill
John Redwood condemned the government's decision to stop all further Lords debate of the Pensions Bill, and to stifle Conservative attempts to change the Bill to compensate people who have lost their private pensions through no fault of their own. The government high handedly stated that as the Bill had financial implications the Commons would simply override the Lords. Past governments have only used this method to stop the Lords changing tax proposals, not spending proposals. As all Bills have spending implications, it is the effective end of the Lords right to amend if the government uses this new device regularly.
Mr. John Redwood (Wokingham) (Con): May we have an urgent debate on the ruling that the House of Lords cannot insist on amendments to any Bill that has spending implications? As that would mean that the Lords could not intervene effectively on any Bill, would not it be more honest to abolish it?
Ms Harman: There will be a statement on reform of the House of Lords as soon as we finish this business statement.
