March 08, 2007	Thursday	Safar 18, 1428

LONDON, March 7: British lawmakers voted on Wednesday in favour of reforming the upper chamber of parliament, the House of Lords, to make it fully elected for the first time in its history.

After two days of debate, members of the lower House of Commons voted 337 to 224 for what would constitute a complete overhaul of the House of Lords, where most members are currently appointed.

The votes are indicative only and the proposal will not automatically pass into law. The govt has promised to take the results into account when it draws up legislation later this year on how to reform the second chamber.

It could pave the way for one of the most radical constitutional changes in British history.

Legislators had earlier voted 305 to 267 in favour of an 80-percent-elected House of Lords and rejected a series of other options put forward by the government.—AFP