LONDON, Mar 14 (PTI): The British government may abolish the House of Lords and replace it with a 300-seat fully elected second chamber, a media report said today.
In fact, plans to do away with the upper house of Parliament are to be unveiled in a draft bill on Lords' reform by British Justice Secretary Jack Straw in a few weeks' time, just before the general election, 'The Sunday Times' reported.
Although it's unlikely to become law before parliament is dissolved, the plan comes amid growing concern over peers' abuse of expenses, the report said.
The House of Lords currently has 733 members, 78 more than the 646-seat House of Commons. Membership to the Lords was once a right of birth to hereditary peers, but following reforms, these now only form a portion of membership.
And, the Labour government's new blueprint would have all members directly elected, ending the tradition of party patronage.
LONDON, Mar 14 (PTI): The British government may abolish the House of Lords and replace it with a 300-seat fully elected second chamber, a media report said today.
In fact, plans to do away with the upper house of Parliament are to be unveiled in a draft bill on Lords' reform by British Justice Secretary Jack Straw in a few weeks' time, just before the general election, 'The Sunday Times' reported.
Although it's unlikely to become law before parliament is dissolved, the plan comes amid growing concern over peers' abuse of expenses, the report said.
The House of Lords currently has 733 members, 78 more than the 646-seat House of Commons. Membership to the Lords was once a right of birth to hereditary peers, but following reforms, these now only form a portion of membership.
And, the Labour government's new blueprint would have all members directly elected, ending the tradition of party patronage.
