House of Lords

The House of Lords is the second chamber of the British parliament. It comprises about 800 members known as peers, whose primary function is to scrutinise new laws passed by MPs in the House of Commons. Most peers are appointed for life by the monarch on advice from the prime minister, who takes recommendations from political parties and an independent body. There are about 90 hereditary peers who sit by birthright and the rest are Anglican bishops. The swelling membership of the Lords has renewed controversy about political appointments and made it the second largest legislature in the world.