Baroness calls for a peers’ retirement age to tackle overcrowding

THE Former House of Commons Speaker Betty Boothroyd said conditions in the House of Lords had become appalling because of overcrowding and suggested a retirement age should be introduced.

Baroness Boothroyd, who was born in Dewsbury, spoke out as the total number of peers is expected to rise to 850.

Lady Boothroyd said: “It is so overcrowded that there is only space for two thirds of us in the chamber itself.

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“It is appalling. All prime ministers are very keen to put new members in here so they get their legislation through and they pile them in irrespective.

“It is what I call lobby fodder, they go through the lobbies and vote for the prime minister who put them there.” She said proper reform was needed to bring in “a retirement age or a number of years they should perform here”.

The 84-year-old added: “I’m getting on and I wouldn’t 
mind putting my hand up for a certain retirement age if it comes to it.”

A series of up to 20 new appointments are expected within the next few days amid growing speculation about those set to be elevated to the Upper House, which would boost the total number of peers to 850 – the highest level since most hereditary peers were removed following the House of Lords Act in 1999.

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Peers have told how officials have been “prowling the corridors” looking for space to squeeze in more desks for the latest arrivals to the House.

It is also claimed there had been instances of “unseemly fights” in the chamber of the Lords because there are not enough seats for the increasing number of peers.