What is the House of Lords?
The House of Lords is one of the two parts of the UK Parliament. The other part is the House of Commons. Members of the House of Lords are called peers. Unlike Members of Parliament (MPs) in the House of Commons, peers are not elected by the public. This means they do not represent specific areas, called constituencies.
Changes in Membership
Historical Background
- Before 1958: All peers were hereditary. This means they inherited their titles from their family. Some were also senior judges or bishops from the Church of England.
Life Peers
- Since 1958: The Prime Minister can nominate new peers for life. These are called life peers. They usually have had important careers in areas like politics, business, or law.
- Life peers are appointed by the monarch (the king or queen) based on the Prime Minister’s advice.
Hereditary Peers
- Since 1999: Hereditary peers no longer have the automatic right to sit in the House of Lords. Now, they elect a small number of their peers to represent them.
Role of the House of Lords
The House of Lords plays an important role in checking and improving laws. Here’s how:
- Suggesting Changes: They can propose new laws or suggest changes (amendments) to existing laws.
- Checking Laws: After the House of Commons passes a law, the House of Lords checks it to ensure it works well and benefits the people.
- Holding Government Accountable: They keep an eye on the government to make sure it acts in the best interests of the public.
Specialization
Many peers have expertise in specific areas, making their input valuable when discussing laws.
Power of the House of Commons
The House of Commons can override decisions made by the House of Lords, but this power is used sparingly.
Questions for Understanding
Easy Level Questions
- What is the House of Lords?
- A) A part of the UK Parliament
- B) A type of law
- C) A government building
- D) A city in the UK
- Are members of the House of Lords elected?
- A) Yes
- B) No
- C) Sometimes
- D) Only in Scotland
- What are members of the House of Lords called?
- A) MPs
- B) Peers
- C) Councillors
- D) Senators
- Who can nominate life peers?
- A) The President
- B) The King or Queen
- C) The Prime Minister
- D) The Speaker
- What did hereditary peers do before 1999?
- A) They were elected
- B) They had automatic rights to sit in the House of Lords
- C) They were banned
- D) They were appointed by the Prime Minister
- What is a life peer?
- A) A peer who can sit for life
- B) A peer who inherits their title
- C) A peer who is elected
- D) A peer from the House of Commons
- What is the main role of the House of Lords?
- A) To represent constituencies
- B) To create laws
- C) To check and suggest changes to laws
- D) To collect taxes
- Who advises the monarch on appointing life peers?
- A) The House of Lords
- B) The public
- C) The Prime Minister
- D) The media
- What happens to laws passed by the House of Commons?
- A) They are ignored
- B) They are checked by the House of Lords
- C) They are passed automatically
- D) They go to the courts
- How many hereditary peers can sit in the House of Lords today?
- A) All of them
- B) None
- C) A few elected representatives
- D) Half of them
Medium Level Questions
- How has the role of the House of Lords changed in the last 50 years?
- A) It has become less important
- B) It has become more democratic
- C) It has allowed life peers and limited hereditary peers
- D) It has changed its name
- Why are life peers appointed?
- A) To represent different regions
- B) For their expertise in various fields
- C) To replace hereditary peers
- D) To manage the government
- What is one way the House of Lords holds the government accountable?
- A) By passing laws
- B) By suggesting changes to laws
- C) By voting in elections
- D) By collecting taxes
- What is a common background for life peers?
- A) They are usually young people
- B) They often have important careers
- C) They come from poor families
- D) They are only from London
- What is a key difference between the House of Lords and the House of Commons?
- A) Members of the House of Lords are elected
- B) The House of Lords has more power
- C) Members of the House of Lords are not elected
- D) The House of Lords meets more frequently
- Why might the House of Lords suggest amendments to laws?
- A) To make them more popular
- B) To ensure they are effective
- C) To delay the law-making process
- D) To create confusion
- What is one reason hereditary peers lost their automatic right to sit in the House of Lords?
- A) To modernise the House of Lords
- B) To reduce the number of members
- C) To increase democracy
- D) To eliminate all peers
- Who do life peers represent?
- A) The public
- B) The government
- C) The House of Commons
- D) Themselves and their expertise
- What happens after the House of Lords checks a law?
- A) The law is automatically passed
- B) The law may be amended or rejected
- C) The law is ignored
- D) The law is sent to the media
- What type of experts can be found in the House of Lords?
- A) Experts in sports
- B) Experts in various fields like law, business, and politics
- C) Only politicians
- D) Only academics
Hard Level Questions
- What was the main change made to the House of Lords by the House of Lords Act 1999?
- A) It abolished the House of Lords
- B) It allowed more hereditary peers
- C) It limited hereditary peers to electing a few representatives
- D) It made all peers elected
- How does the appointment of life peers affect the diversity of opinions in the House of Lords?
- A) It decreases diversity
- B) It creates a range of expert opinions
- C) It has no effect
- D) It only adds political opinions
- How does the House of Lords contribute to the legislative process?
- A) By only approving laws
- B) By suggesting amendments and reviewing laws
- C) By creating laws without input
- D) By ignoring the House of Commons
- What role do bishops play in the House of Lords today?
- A) They have no role
- B) They are elected members
- C) They are appointed based on their religious position
- D) They represent the Church of England only
- Who can suggest new members for the House of Lords apart from the Prime Minister?
- A) Only the King or Queen
- B) Other political party leaders and an independent commission
- C) Members of the House of Commons only
- D) The general public
- What is the primary purpose of the House of Lords in relation to laws passed by the House of Commons?
- A) To create new laws
- B) To delay the law-making process
- C) To review and amend laws if necessary
- D) To approve all laws without question
- Why might the House of Commons override the House of Lords?
- A) To enforce their decisions
- B) To ensure laws are passed quickly
- C) To maintain government control
- D) To avoid peer influence
- What is the significance of having specialists in the House of Lords?
- A) They help in making informed decisions on laws
- B) They complicate the law-making process
- C) They only represent their interests
- D) They have no impact on decisions
- What is one characteristic of life peers compared to hereditary peers?
- A) Life peers inherit their titles
- B) Life peers are appointed for life based on merit
- C) Life peers can be elected
- D) Life peers have more power
- How does public opinion affect the House of Lords?
- A) It has no effect
- B) It directly influences appointments
- C) It can affect government decisions that the House of Lords reviews
- D) It always leads to changes in the House of Lords
Answers and Explanations
Easy Level Answers
- A) A part of the UK Parliament
- B) No
- B) Peers
- C) The Prime Minister
- B) They had automatic rights to sit in the House of Lords
- A) A peer who can sit for life
- C) To check and suggest changes to laws
- C) The Prime Minister
- B) They are checked by the House of Lords
- C) A few elected representatives
Medium Level Answers
- C) It has allowed life peers and limited hereditary peers
- B) For their expertise in various fields
- B) By suggesting changes to laws
- B) They often have important careers
- C) Members of the House of Lords are not elected
- B) To ensure they are effective
- A) To modernise the House of Lords
- D) Themselves and their expertise
- B) The law may be amended or rejected
- B) Experts in various fields like law, business, and politics
Hard Level Answers
- C) It limited hereditary peers to electing a few representatives
- B) It creates a range of expert opinions
- B) By suggesting amendments and reviewing laws
- C) They are appointed based on their religious position
- B) Other political party leaders and an independent commission
- C) To review and amend laws if necessary
- A) To enforce their decisions
- A) They help in making informed decisions on laws
- B) Life peers are appointed for life based on merit
- C) It can affect government decisions that the House of Lords reviews
