True cost of a peer

SIR – The average member of the Lords claims around £28,000 a year for allowances and travel, not the £83,000 that Darren Hughes of the Electoral Reform Society asserts in his letter on the House of Lords (January 24).

His figure includes all costs of the House – except building costs – divided by the number of members. Including fixed costs, such as salaries of the House’s staff, security and IT, is not a fair way to measure the marginal cost of a member.

The House itself has acknowledged it is too large, and the recent report from the Burns Committee is the next step in us rectifying that.

Lord Mcfall of Alcluith

Senior Deputy Speaker, House of Lords London SW1

SIR – I disagree with Mr Hughes’s suggestion that members of the Lords should be elected. The singular advantage of an unelected chamber is that members can say what they like without looking over their shoulder at the electorate.

This principle would be maintained if the Lords comprised only those who had achieved their position on merit. Retired heads of professions, the Armed Forces, charities and some religions should be appointed for a set term. No former politicians or civil servants should qualify.

M A St Clair-george

Rye, East Sussex