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.
Debate on 12 December: Reducing the Size of the House of Lords (445 KB , PDF)
The Library Note contains information and statistics on the size of the House of Lords and the changing membership patterns over the last 20 years. The Note summarises some of the concerns over the present and possible future size of the House. The Note includes discussion of some of the proposals that have been put forward to reduce or manage the size of the House, including by the Leader’s Group on Members Leaving the House, the House of Commons Political and Constitutional Reform Select Committee and through Bills currently before Parliament.
Debate on 12 December: Reducing the Size of the House of Lords (445 KB , PDF)
The House of Lords (Peerage Nominations) Bill [HL] is a private member’s bill sponsored by Lord Norton of Louth (Conservative). The bill seeks to strengthen the House of Lords Appointments Commission.
![House of Lords (Peerage Nominations) Bill [HL]: HL Bill 36 of 2024-25](https://lordslibrary.parliament.uk/content/uploads/sites/2/2020/09/House-of-Lords-568x426.png)
The Lords Library has drawn together lists of members who have held selected positions in public life. This non-exhaustive collection provides an introduction to the diversity of experience in the House of Lords, including political careers in central, local, devolved and international settings; senior positions in defence, public service, policing and law; and leadership in science, education, culture and sport.
In 2024, the House of Lords Conduct Committee launched a review of the House of Lords code of conduct for members. The committee published the conclusions of this review and its proposed amendments to the code and guide to the code in January 2025. The House of Lords is scheduled to debate these recommendations. If accepted, these changes would come into force in April 2025.
