asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they consider that the political balance of the second Chamber of the Parliament of Westminster should match the proportion of votes cast at the previous general election. [HL842]

The Government set out in their manifesto the broad principle which we believe should govern the appointment of life Peers, which was that over time their balance should more accurately reflect the balance of votes cast at the previous general election. In the White Paper Modernising Parliament Reforming the House of Lords (Cm 4183 January 1999) we said that our intention in relation to the transitional House was to move toward broad parity between Labour and Conservative. We also said that the principle of broad parity and proportionate creations for other parties would be maintained throughout the transitional period. Our most important principle with regard to membership of the House of Lords is that no party should seek a majority of members.