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|  | Wednesday, 7 November, 2001, 18:31 GMT Lords reform plans at-a-glance
The government has now abandoned its proposals for Lord reform. The main features of that blueprint, set out last year were:The remaining 92 hereditary peers, allowed to sit in the Lords after the first stage of reform, to be ousted. The link between peerage titles and seats in Parliament to end - the peerage will remain only as an honour. One fifth (120 members) of the reformed chamber to be directly elected. About 60% to be nominated by the political parties, according to their share of the vote at the most recent general election. Another fifth to be independent members appointed by the new Appointments Commission, created on a statutory basis to manage and balance the size of the reformed chamber. No name has been suggested for the new-look House of Lords, which the white paper says should not be dominated by any one party. Government control over the membership to transfer to the appointments commission, which will check the integrity of the political parties' nominees. All nominations to meet a quota of a minimum of 30% both men and women, as well as fair representation for the UK's regions and ethnic minorities. Law lords to continue to sit in the second chamber, as will Church of England bishops, whose numbers will be cut from 26 to 16. Representation to be introduced for other faiths and denominations. The transition to new arrangements is due to take 10 years, by which time the number of peers will have been cut from the current 700-plus to 600. Existing life peers to keep their seats while the changes take place. The House of Commons to stay the pre-eminent chamber and the reformed House of Lords will have to defer to the will of MPs. Its role to be to "revise and deliberate" on legislation, but it will only be able to delay, not veto, laws passed in the Commons. The government says it wants to consult on all the plans but particular aspects for further debate include: the balance of different types of members; when elections should be held; and how long members should serve. Whether the new members should continue to be paid only expenses is another issue on which the government wants people's views. | | See also: Internet links:
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