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The House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) (Abolition of By-Elections) Bill [HL] is a private member’s bill introduced by Lord Grocott (Labour). The bill seeks to amend the House of Lords Act 1999 to remove the system of by-elections currently used to fill vacancies caused by the death, resignation or expulsion of individuals who are Members of the House of Lords by virtue of a hereditary peerage.

Lord Grocott moved similar private member’s bills in the 2016–17 and 2017–19 sessions, the latter of which did not progress past report stage in the House of Lords by the end of the session.

This House of Lords Library Briefing has been prepared in advance of the second reading debate due to take place on 18 March 2020 in the House of Lords on the House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) (Abolition of By-Elections) Bill [HL].


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