Constitutional history
Found in 186 Collections and/or Records:
(Untitled), 23 Jan 1909
(Untitled), 27 Jan [1909]
Letter from Henry Massingham (The Nation, 14 Henrietta Street, Convent Garden, London) to WSC explaining his criticism of WSC's speech in Birmingham [on 13 Jan 1909] on Liberal policy and the House of Lords. Makes particular reference to Welsh Disestablishment and social reform.
(Untitled), 19 Dec 1921
(Untitled), 09 Apr 1910
Letter from WSC (Home Office, Whitehall) to "Mamma" [Lady Randolph Churchill] discussing arrangements to meet her in Paris [France] with "Clemmie" [CSC]; reporting that his speech on the Veto [of the House of Lords] has "fluttered the dovecotes a good deal". Signed typescript.
(Untitled), 29 Aug 1924
Letter from Sir John Ross (Dunmoyle, Sixmilecross, County Tyrone, [Ulster, Ireland]) to WSC asking him to read his scheme for reform of the House of Lords and stressing the need for anti-Socialist elements to work together if the "abyss" is to be avoided.
(Untitled), 18 Jan 1924
Letter from Ernest Law (27 Brunswick Gardens, Kensington, [London]) to WSC enclosing CHAR 2/137/21, drawing WSC's attention to his suggestion that the House of Commons should consider the right of a Prime Minister to advise a dissolution of Parliament and regretting that WSC argued in his letter that the House of Commons could debate any amendment to the Address "irrespective of whether a new Government has or has not at that moment assumed office.".
(Untitled), [18] [Jan] [1924]
Cutting from the "Times": letter from Ernest Law to the editor arguing that the Prime Minister should not have the right to advise a dissolution of Parliament in any circumstances or to advise the sovereign who his successor should be. Sent with CHAR 2/137/20.
(Untitled), 02 Nov 1924
Letter from Colonel Charles Swaine (88 St James's Street, [London]) to WSC congratulating him on his electoral victory, which would have pleased Sir Ernest Cassel, hoping that WSC will get a suitable government post, and arguing for the reform of the House of Lords so that it can effectually oppose any future Socialist government.
(Untitled), 16 Nov 1926
Resolutions passed by Conservative constituency associations calling on as many ministers as possible to attend the annual conference of the National Union of Conservative and Unionist Associations, and urging the Government to introduce legislation to reform trade unions and the House of Lords. Sent with CHAR 2/147/174.
(Untitled), 03 Mar 1926
Circular letter from Edward Campbell, secretary of the Second Chamber Reform Committee, enclosing and commenting on CHAR 2/150/2.
(Untitled), Nov 1925
Reprint from "The Nineteenth Century and After": "The Parliament Act and Second Chamber Reform" by F G Stone. Sent with CHAR 2/150/1.
(Untitled), 05 Jun 1930
Conservative research department memorandum prepared by [Neville Chamberlain] on the use of the referendum.
(Untitled), 05 Jun 1931
Memorandum by [WSC to the Select Committee on Procedure on Public Business] proposing the formation of an "Economic Sub-Parliament". Annotated carbon typescript copy. Another copy at CHAR 2/177/48-50.
(Untitled), Oct 1932
Report of a joint committee of peers and MPs on reform of the House of Lords.
(Untitled), [Nov] [1933]
(Untitled), 23 Oct 1933
Unrevised minutes of WSC's evidence to the Joint Committee on Indian Constitutional Reform.
(Untitled), [1933]
Summary of the Government's proposals for Indian constitutional reform.
(Untitled), 16 Nov 1910
Copy of a letter from [WSC] ([Home Office]) to James Seddon [President of the Shop Assistants' Union] assuring him that the Shops Bill has not been abandoned, but postponed due to the "extraordinary political crisis" [constitutional deadlock between the Liberal Government and the House of Lords]. Unsigned typescript.
(Untitled), 06 Feb 1911
(Untitled), 21 Feb 1910
Letter from WSC (House of Commons) to King Edward VII describing events in the House of Commons including: the announcement of the Prime Minister [Herbert Asquith] regarding the Government's intentions on the reform of the relations between the two Houses of Parliament and the [1909] Budget; and [John] Redmond's "menacing" speech on the position of the Irish [National] Party.
(Untitled), 22 Feb 1910
Letter from WSC (House of Commons) to King Edward VII describing events in the House of Commons including: the speeches of [George] Barnes, F E Smith [later Lord Birkenhead], [William] O'Brien, [William] Moore, WSC and Walter Ling on proposals for Parliamentary reform.
(Untitled), 24 Feb 1910
Letter from WSC (House of Commons) to King Edward VII describing events in the House of Commons including: a debate over Free Trade and Protection between [Alfred] Mond and Samuel Storey [later Lord Buckton]; the maiden speech of [Eliot] Crawshay Williams; [Arthur] Balfour's speech in favour of Protection and WSC's comments on the issue. WSC also discusses the small Government majority and the task of carrying through "tremendous constitutional changes".
(Untitled), 25 Feb 1910
Letter from WSC (Home Office) to King Edward VII describing events in the House of Commons including: discussion of an amendment relating to the hops industry; the weak position of the government due to the disillusionment of their supporters regarding legislation on the constitution and veto of the House of Lords; the necessity of a statement on the subject by the Prime Minister [Herbert Asquith] so that financial business, including discussion of the naval estimates, may be continued.
(Untitled), 28 Feb 1910
(Untitled), 01 Mar 1910
Letter from WSC (Home Office) to King Edward VII describing events in the House of Commons including: the smooth progression of financial business; discussion of Government borrowing; WSC's opinion that the Government has not surrendered to the Irish [Nationalists] and his comments on the strength of the constitution.