ABSTRACT
The government signalled its acceptance in principle of the Report. However, the White Paper published in November 2001 made clear that only a minority of peers would be elected.56 The stated aim is to reduce the size of the House from 700 to 600 members over ten years, with 120 Members directly elected; up to 332 Members nominated by party leaders and 120 non-party (independent) Members being chosen by the independent Appointments Commission. The number of bishops will be reduced to 16 from 26 and there will remain at least 12 law lords. The rights of the remaining hereditary peers to sit will be removed. The government rejected the call for more diverse religious representation and the proposal that Members should be salaried.
