House of Lords Reform

Part of Oral Answers to Questions — Prime Minister – in the House of Commons at 12:31 pm on 7 February 2007.

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Photo of Gerald Kaufman Gerald Kaufman Labour, Manchester, Gorton 12:31, 7 February 2007

May I remind my right hon. Friend that when the manifesto on which he and I were elected to this House two years ago said

"we will ... allow a free vote on the composition of the House", it did not go on to say that we will impose a three-line Whip to force Labour Members to accept an option that they do not wish to accept. Will he give me a categorical assurance that when this matter comes before the House of Commons, Labour Members will not have to choose, by voting for the manifesto, to vote against the Whip?