Selected topics of interest.
Below you will find our recent briefings on a selection of topic areas on the House of Lords.
Research Briefings: In-depth analysis on topics related to the House.
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Governance and Administration of the House of Lords
This Lords Library briefing sets out how the House of Lords is structured, governed and managed, including joint working with the House of Commons.
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Hereditary By-elections: Results
Hereditary peer by-elections are held within the House of Lords to replace excepted hereditary peers who have retired or died. This Lords Library Briefing provides a list of hereditary peers’ by-election results since the passing of the House of Lords Act 1999, including information on turn out and the number of candidates.
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Dissolution and Calling of Parliament Bill
The Dissolution and Calling of Parliament Bill is a Government bill which would repeal the Fixed-Term Parliaments Act 2011. It also would revive the prerogative power to dissolve Parliament and call a new Parliament. Second reading of the bill in the House of Lords is scheduled to take place on 24 November 2021.
In Focus: quick-read articles on the House of Lords.
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House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) (Abolition of By-Elections) Bill [HL]
This private member's 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.
![House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) (Abolition of By-Elections) Bill [HL]](https://lordslibrary.parliament.uk/content/uploads/sites/2/2021/11/State-opening-image.jpg)
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House of Lords appointments: should the process be reviewed?
Since Boris Johnson became Prime Minister in 2019, the Government has made 83 appointments to the House of Lords. The Government has argued these appointments have been necessary to refresh the House. However, concerns have been expressed about the number of new appointments and the increase in the number of Conservative members. On 18 November 2021, the House of Lords will debate whether the process by which appointments are made should be reviewed.
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House of Lords: timeline of response to Covid-19 pandemic
The House of Lords made several changes to its procedures during the Covid-19 pandemic. This included the use of virtual sittings and sittings which featured both physical and remote participation. This article provides a chronology of these developments.
