THERE IS increasing concern in the House of Lords about the number of peers who are using the comfortable red benches in the glittering chamber for a post-lunch nap.

People has learnt that during one debate recently, as many as 17 members were apparently asleep or dozing on the government and opposition benches.

There are tales of one elderly peer wandering by mistake into the House of Commons before being gently sent back to the Upper House.

The issues raised by the 17 “sleepers” – as they are dubbed – will only become more pressing as the age profile of the Lords rises – and it is not a good look for a legislature.

One modernising peer said it was understandable that some colleagues wanted a post-prandial nap: “They are old, and they have had a nice lunch.”

But, with footage from the chamber viewable at all times on the internet when the Lords are sitting, the peer added: “This is embarrassing for the image of the House of Lords. It is terrible.”

Baroness D’Souza, the Lords Speaker, and other senior Tories are urging peers to retire to reduce the size of the second chamber, which, with 790 members, is one of the biggest in the world.

The House of Lords Reform Act,

With 790 members, the Upper House is one of the largest chambers in the world

which came into force on May 14 last year, gave peers the right to retire for the first time and the right to give a valedictory speech.

Lady D’Souza tells them in a leaflet being distributed to peers in the Lords that it is their “public duty” to retire.

The “ever increasing” number of peers was creating an “image problem” for the House, which had to be addressed, she said.

But, disappointingly, only a handful have decided to leave, too many of them attracted by the prospect of a £300 sum for appearing in the chamber for as little as 30 minutes or voting on a committee.

Perhaps it is time for a little more persuasion to free up the chamber for younger blood. Either that or provide free sleeping bags. If you want to get ahead, get a hat, they say, and Amal Clooney – seen here in New York – is about as far ahead as it’s possible to get. Ms Clooney, a highflying barrister, is to join Columbia Law School as a visiting faculty member.