The debate upon the Second Reading of the Reconstitution Bill
was begun in the House of Lords on Monday. Lord Lansdowne, in opening the discussion, said that he had never pretended that his Bill provided a solution of the whole con- stitutional problem, for there would remain for settlement the question of the relations between the two Houses. He had provided a Bill which would establish a House to deal with legislation in an independent and judicial spirit. Lord Lansdowne went on to say that he was quite open to argument in regard to details of the composition of the House. But was it asking too much that in a House which had the revision or suspending of measures brought before it there should be a preponderance of those who held moderate opinions P Lord Morley replied with a detailed criticism of the BilL He declared that what was wanted in any great scheme were stability and simplicity, and these qualities Lord Lansdowne's proposal lacked. In conclusion, he repeated emphatically that the Government's first duty was to pass the Parliament BilL
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