House of Lords Archives

Research Briefing

Retirement from the House of Lords

Friday, 13 February, 2015

This Note discusses the development of retirement provisions in the House of Lords, and considers additional proposals put forward by forums such as that have been raised by the Leader’s Group on Member’s Leaving the House and the House of Commons Political and Constitutional Reform Select Committee (for example, the possibility of introducing a compulsory retirement age). The Note also contains brief analysis and information on the eight Members that have taken voluntary retirement so far.
- Research Briefing
- House of Lords
Research Briefing

Lords Spiritual (Women) Bill (HL Bill 87 of 2014–15)

Tuesday, 03 February, 2015

The Lords Spiritual (Women) Bill would introduce time limited provisions to enable female diocesan bishops to be fast-tracked into the House of Lords as members of the Lords Spiritual. This Library Note provides a brief summary of the process by which English diocesan bishops are appointed to the House of Lords. It then discusses the provisions of the Lords Spiritual (Women) Bill and the Bill’s House of Commons Stages.
Research Briefing

Size of the House of Lords

Friday, 19 December, 2014

As at 16 December 2014, the total membership of the House of Lords was 847. However, excluding those currently ineligible to sit (such as members on leave of absence or those holding particular posts), the ‘actual’ membership was 791. The average attendance of the House of Lords in the 2013–14 session was 497.
- Research Briefing
- House of Lords
Research Briefing

Membership of the House of Lords: Ethnicity, Religion and Disability

Thursday, 12 June, 2014

Members of the House of Lords are not required to provide information about their ethnicity, religious beliefs or any disabilities they may have. However, there is continued interest in the representativeness of the House, as currently composed. This Library Note provides background information on this subject: it summarises existing research on the representation in the House of Lords of minority ethnic groups, religions and disability, and sets out some of the challenges in collecting and interpreting this information.
Research Briefing

Hereditary Peers in the House of Lords: 1999 to 2014

Thursday, 27 March, 2014

The House of Lords Act 1999 ended the centuries-old linkage between the hereditary peerage and membership of the House of Lords. The majority of hereditary Peers left the House of Lords in November 1999, but under a compromise arrangement, 92 of their number, known as ‘excepted’ hereditary Peers still sit in the House today.
Research Briefing

House of Lords Reform (No 2) Bill (HL Bill 92 of 2013–14)

Friday, 07 March, 2014

The House of Lords Reform (No 2) Bill is a private members’ bill, which was introduced into the House of Commons on 19 June 2013. The Bill makes provision for retirement from the House of Lords, and for the expulsion of Members of the House of Lords in specified circumstances.
Research Briefing

Regional Representation in the House of Lords

Monday, 10 February, 2014

This Library Note provides statistics relating to the regions of the UK with which current Members of the House of Lords have connections.
Research Briefing

Debate on 12 December: Reducing the Size of the House of Lords

Monday, 09 December, 2013

This Library Note provides background reading for the debate to be held on Thursday, 12 December 2013 to take note of the case for reducing the size of the House of Lords.
- Research Briefing
- House of Lords
Research Briefing

House of Lords: Profile of Membership

Wednesday, 30 October, 2013

This Library Note provides background information about the age, membership and public positions held by Members of the House of Lords.
- Research Briefing
- House of Lords
Research Briefing

Maiden Speeches

Monday, 07 October, 2013

This House of Lords Library Note provides the text of selected recent maiden speeches to illustrate the range of styles and subjects covered by new Members in their first contribution in the Chamber.
Research Briefing

Extension of Franchise (House of Lords) Bill [HL]

Tuesday, 25 June, 2013

This Library Note provides background information on the disqualification of Peers from voting at elections to the House of Commons, in anticipation of the second reading of Lord Dubs’ Private Member’s Bill on this issue on 5 July.
Research Briefing

House of Lords: Reform of Working Practices, 2000-2012

Thursday, 11 October, 2012

This Library Note summarises significant proposals to change working practices and procedures in the House of Lords.
Research Briefing

Public Attitudes Towards the House of Lords and House of Lords Reform

Thursday, 26 July, 2012

This Library Note provides information on public attitudes towards the House of Lords, and reform of the House, using the findings of various opinion polls.
- Research Briefing
- House of Lords
Research Briefing

Public Attitudes Towards the House of Lords and House of Lords Reform

Monday, 28 May, 2012

This Library Note provides information on public attitudes towards the House of Lords, and reform of the House, using the findings of various opinion polls.
- Research Briefing
- House of Lords
Research Briefing

House of Lords: Ministers

Monday, 14 May, 2012

This Library Note looks at the role of Ministers in the House of Lords in the context of current proposals for reform of the House.

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