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Chapter 5 · The UK government, the law and your role

Life in the UK test questions on the House of Lords

Members of the House of Lords are not elected. Most are life peers, appointed for their lifetime, and there are also bishops of the Church of England and a number of hereditary peers. The Lords examines laws proposed by the Commons and can ask it to think again, but the Commons can overrule it in the end.

Below are 5 free questions on the House of Lords, taken from handbook section 5.5. Every one is written out in full with its answer and a plain-English explanation — no account, no sign-up and nothing hidden.

Practise the House of Lords

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Questions and answers on the House of Lords

The same 5 questions again, this time with the answers shown. Read the explanation even where you were right — the test asks the same facts several ways.

  1. 1. How do members of the House of Lords take their seats?

    • They are appointed or hold a seat by right, rather than being elected — correct answer
    • They are elected by voters in every county
    • They are chosen by the Supreme Court
    • They are elected by members of the House of Commons

    Members of the House of Lords, known as peers, are not elected by the public. Most are appointed, so the Lords does not represent constituencies. Handbook section 5.5.

  2. 2. Can the House of Commons overrule the House of Lords?

    • Yes, it has powers to do so, though they are not used often — correct answer
    • No, the Lords always has the final say
    • Only with the agreement of the Supreme Court
    • Only during a general election year

    The elected Commons has the final say and can push a bill through despite the Lords. Because that power exists, it rarely needs to be used. Handbook section 5.5.

  3. 3. Select the TWO kinds of member who sit in the House of Lords.

    • Life peers — correct answer
    • Senior bishops of the Church of England — correct answer
    • Elected councillors
    • Chief Constables

    The Lords is made up of appointed peers, most of them life peers, together with senior Church of England bishops. Councillors and police chiefs have no seat there. Handbook section 5.5.

  4. 4. Who formally appoints members of the House of Lords?

    • The monarch, on the advice of the Prime Minister or the Appointments Commission — correct answer
    • The Speaker of the House of Commons
    • The Supreme Court
    • The electorate, in a national ballot

    Peers are appointed by the monarch. Most are nominated by the Prime Minister, while the independent Appointments Commission recommends peers who take no party side. Handbook section 5.5.

  5. 5. What changed for hereditary peers in 1999?

    • They lost the automatic right to attend the House of Lords — correct answer
    • They were all given life peerages instead
    • They were allowed to stand for the House of Commons for the first time
    • They were given the right to appoint bishops

    Until 1999 anyone who inherited a peerage could sit in the Lords. The House of Lords Act of that year ended that automatic right. Handbook section 5.5.

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