Anne Main opposes the Deputy Prime Minister's proposals for the House of Lords which would weaken the House of Commons and create divisions between elected members and appointed members.

Mrs Main: Does the Deputy Prime Minister not see that there is a degree of inconsistency between his view that we in this House are too powerful and therefore need neutering by the House of Lords and his voting to maintain the strengthening of the electorate and the boundary changes by keeping the number of Ministers yet reducing the number of Back-Bench Members of Parliament?

The Deputy Prime Minister: One of the Bill’s intentions is absolutely not to neuter the House of Commons, but to work in partnership with the House of Commons in holding the Executive to account.

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Mrs Main: I should appreciate the right hon. Gentleman’s comments on the function of this apparent second House. Does he share my fear that when the majority of its Members are elected and a small proportion will be appointed, there will be a divided second House some of whose Members will have more power than others? When it comes to a tied vote, who will really win?

Sadiq Khan: The hon. Lady raises one of the issues that need to be resolved.

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