asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Lord Malloch-Brown on 5 December (WA 202), in the light of devolution of powers to the Scottish Parliament and the Northern Ireland and Welsh Assemblies, and with 70 per cent of all legislation originating in the European Union, whether they will institute an inquiry into the necessity of having 646 elected Members of Parliament and 750 peers. [HL972]

The Government have no plans for such an inquiry, for the reasons set out in my noble friend's Answer. The number of Scottish MPs was reduced to 59 at the last election. Following the fifth general review of parliamentary constituencies in Wales, which was completed in January 2005, the total number of constituencies remained at 40. In its fifth periodical report, on 31 October 2006, the Boundary Commission for England recommended an increase of four constituencies, bringing the total number to 533. On membership of the House of Lords, the Government are committed to working to deliver the House of Commons' preference for a wholly or mainly elected second chamber. Among the questions which it will have to consider during that process will be the optimum size of the House.