The house of Industry : a new estate of the realm

APPENDIX 109

it is a Second Chamber which duplicates the work of the Commons.

The House of Lords does precisely these things ; nevertheless it is primarily a functional and not a political body. Down to recent years that function was to protect and develop agriculture.

It was mainly composed of large landowners, who were vastly more concerned about land tenure, rents, wheat, mangel-wurzels and horses than about political crises in the House of Commons.

With the advent of large industry, other economic functions were recognised, and from time to time industrial magnates were admitted, beginning with bankers and brewers and so on, to iron and steel masters and other business interests. These men did not go to the Lords as politicians, but were chosen for their functional qualifications.

BISHOPS AND LAWYERS

Two other functional groups have been admitted—the bishops and the lawyers. The bishops were expected to shed spiritual truth upon the proceedings, with what success I do not know. We vaguely remember the late Archbishop of Canterbury defending Chinese slavery as “a regrettable necessity.”’

The lawyers went to the Lords to see that legislation was in conformity with the theory and practice of law. In plain English, to make sure that property was adequately protected.

Also there has been a sprinkling of diplomatists, Colonial Governors and Civil Servants, again chosen for functional reasons.

The only non-functional additions have been derelict statesmen who for political convenience have been ‘kicked upstairs.’’ True to tradition, they continue talking.

We must grasp this fact or we shall miss our way: the decline in the power and authority of the House of