House of Lords

The House of Lords Bill 1998–99 sought to abolish the right of all hereditary peers to sit and vote in the House of Lords, and represented the most significant attempt to reform the House for some years. During the Lords consideration of the Bill, Lord Weatherill moved an amendment to allow 92 hereditary peers to remain as Members of the House. Thus the amendment, which was accepted in both Houses and became part of the House of Lords Act 1999, has become known as the ‘Weatherill amendment’. This Library Note provides a history of the amendment and outlines developments since 1999.

House of Lords reform since 1997: a chronology (updated July 2009). House of Lords Library Note 2009/007.

History of the House of Lords Library. House of Lords Library Note 2009/005

This Note presents detailed information on all peerage creations since the first list of life peers was published on 24th July 1958. It updates earlier Notes to the situation at 24th July 2008.

House of Lords reform since 1997: a chronology (updated July 2008). House of Lords Library Note 2008/018.

The Life Peerages Act 1958. House of Lords Library Note 2008/011

The Weatherill amendment. House of Lords Library Note 2007/009

The appellate jurisdiction of the House of Lords. House of Lords Library Note 2007/008.

House of Lords reform since 1997: a chronology (updated October 2007). House of Lords Library Note 2007/005.

Peerage creations 1958-2005. House of Lords Library Note 2007/004.

This Library Note charts developments in votes on delegated legislation in the House of Lords between 1950 and 1999.

This Library Note sets out in summary form major proposals since 1968 for reform of the composition and powers of the House of Lords.