The Sunday Telegraph

Lords reform

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SIR – Simon Heffer (Comment, August 9) proposes a way to reduce the nonsensica­l number of members of the House of Lords.

He suggests creating a class of peers who do not qualify for a seat in Parliament – a solution so obvious that even our well-meaning but ill-advised Prime Minister should be able to see its merits. Stanley S Grundy Porton, Wiltshire

SIR – Simon Heffer makes several good points in his piece on Lords reform, but his proposals seem a little complicate­d. There is a much simpler alternativ­e available.

In many areas of public life – among the clergy and magistrate­s, for example – there is a compulsory retirement age. If this were to be applied to the Lords, it would reduce numbers at a stroke.

Those required to retire would keep their titles for life, but would no longer be allowed to attend. This solution would be simple, easily to implement and fair to all. John D Frew Ipswich, Suffolk

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