There are odd bits about the workings of parliament that are not generally known. For example it took me a year to get broadband internet access that allows me to down load emails from my email servers (which are outside the network), but I had a pink ribbon for my sword immediately.
Another issue is the differential treatment between members of the House of Commons and those of the House of Lords. Those peers who have been MPs can buy tea in the MPs tea room. Similarly they can have dinner with MPs in the Members Dining room. However whereas MPs are allowed credit accounts Peers have to pay cash on the nail. An enterprising Peer investigated this and found that the House Authorities had too many bad debts from Peers who built up meal debts and then passed on. It is, therefore, the differential mortality between MPs and Peers that has resulted in MPs being allowed to maintain an account and Peers not.
It is quite useful to have some Peers involved in the discussions. Clearly the issue of House of Lords reform is an issue that warrants discussion. Having a fully elected House of Lords could see some people who were previously MPs restanding for election. Could we, for example, see an election in which the General Election leaders of 1992 Neil Kinnock, Margaret Thatcher and Paddy Ashdown are all candidates?
Another issue is the differential treatment between members of the House of Commons and those of the House of Lords. Those peers who have been MPs can buy tea in the MPs tea room. Similarly they can have dinner with MPs in the Members Dining room. However whereas MPs are allowed credit accounts Peers have to pay cash on the nail. An enterprising Peer investigated this and found that the House Authorities had too many bad debts from Peers who built up meal debts and then passed on. It is, therefore, the differential mortality between MPs and Peers that has resulted in MPs being allowed to maintain an account and Peers not.
It is quite useful to have some Peers involved in the discussions. Clearly the issue of House of Lords reform is an issue that warrants discussion. Having a fully elected House of Lords could see some people who were previously MPs restanding for election. Could we, for example, see an election in which the General Election leaders of 1992 Neil Kinnock, Margaret Thatcher and Paddy Ashdown are all candidates?
Comments