House of Lords

[LordyGeordie]

What's the status now with the House of Lords and herditary peers.

I know a few years ago the governemnt cut the number of heridtary peers right back. I presume that the ones left remaining are just there for the duration of their lifetime and once they've died off they are replaced with non-heriditary peers.

Also, assuming that you are a hereditary peer who is no longer allowed to sit in the House of Lords, does that mean you can run for election to the House of Commons or would you have to renounce your title, even though it's now meaningless.

Can non-heriditary peers now vote?

Also, in the past what would have happened if a 'commoner' married for example a Duke, thereby becoming a duchess. Presumably she would be unable to sit in the House of Lords would she be able to sit in the House of Commons. What would be her status now?

A lot questions I know, but any answers would be much appreciated as it would solve a heated pub debate!

[mystress]

For a (Non House of Lords,or indeed sitting House of Lords) Hereditary Peer to sit in the House of Commons,he WOULD have to renounce his title.(Anthony Wedgwood Benn did this in the 60's?,he was Viscount Stansgate).

If by Non Hereditary Peers you mean Life Peers,no they cannot vote. Peers(of any sort) cannot vote in elections.

Wives of Peers have never been eligible to sit in the House of Lords,unless they were Female Life Peers.

If the wife of a Peer(of any sort) wished to sit in the Commons she would have to renounce her title.

The only time you will see Wives of Peers in the Chamber of the Lords,is on the occasion of the State Opening of Parliament.

[Grunty]

If by 'non-hereditary peer' you mean a hereditary peer who is no longer a member of the House of Lords,  the answer is that they can sit in the Commons.  It is Members of the Lords who are disqualified.

Wives of peers can claim parliamentary privilege, and it would seem logical that they are also disqualified from sitting in the Commons, as mystress says, but I cannot find it in words.

These sites will give further information

http://news.bbc.co.uk/vote2001/hi/english/voting_system/ newsid_1171000/1171908.stm

http://www.chinet.com/ ~laura/html/titles06.html

http://www.parliament.t he-stationery-office.co.uk/pa/ld/ldcomp/compso45.htm

[bernardo]

When the remaining 92 hereditary peers die, they are replaced by other hereditary peers out of those who were ejected in the first place.  The choice of who should be the replacement is made by the remaining hereditary peers of that party.

The ejected hereditary peers can run for the House of Commons; the MP for Caithness Sutherland and Earster Ross is a hereditary peer.

The ejected ones can vote.

[EarlDublin]

The Parliament Act 1963 proscribes members of the upper house from standing for election it also proscribes them from the vote although some peers of Ireland and Scotlans are allowed to vote under the Acts of Settlement.. Peers whether hereditary or life must have thier request to renounce thier peergae accepted by the Crown beofre they may file canditature papers with a returning officer for election purposes.  This must be done not less than fifteen months prior to an election in which he peer wishes to stand for election. Wives of peers have no legal statuis whatsoever and do not enjoy parliamentary priviliege unless they hold office, (privilege protects the work they do not thier own person) but must follow the same protocol before seeking election. wives of peers are otherwise referred to in the same manner as all other strangers in law.  I trust this assits you.