Swaraj Paul calls for far-reaching reform in House of Lords

London: In hard-hitting remarks, India-born peer Lord Swraj Paul has called for far-reaching reformsin the working of the House of Lords in the backdrop of his own brush with the House over expenses claims. Warning that it would be unwise to neglect wide-rangingreforms of the House, the NRI industrialist told his fellowpeers that “we should govern ourselves with the same degree ofpropriety that we expect from the civil institutions ofgovernment.” [caption id=“attachment_30049” align=“alignleft” width=“380” caption=“The House of Lords in session. Leon Neal/Reuters”]  [/caption] Paul, who was suspended for four months from the Houselast year over expenses claims, said during a debate on ‘Houseof Lords Reform’ last night, demanded that the rules of theHouse should be applied equally to all members as he had feltdiscriminated when action against him was taken. “If there are any investigations or allegationsregarding members of this House, all those concerned must betreated equally, selective application of rules against someand exculpation of others is discriminatory,” he said. Demanding transparency in the functioning of the House,Paul said that whenever the House of Lords or its committeeconduct investigation or examine evidence, it is essentialthat all relevant documents be made available.       “I believe it is essential that in any proceedingsagainst a Member of his House, that Member should be allowedsome legal representation, especially if he or she is to besubject to unrestrained cross-examination by legalluminaries,” he said. “Simply summoning members and denying them the rightto legal representation is something that our justice systemwould not tolerate. Neither should we,” Paul added. PTI