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Difficulty: MediumThe UK Parliament

The House of Lords is the second chamber of the UK Parliament. While the majority of its members are Life Peers appointed by the Monarch, the chamber also includes a small number of hereditary peers and a specific group of religious leaders. Which of the following groups has a right to sit in the House of Lords?

  1. Senior bishops of the Church of EnglandAnswer
  2. B
    All retired Members of the House of Commons
  3. C
    Senior judges currently serving in the Supreme Court
  4. D
    Elected representatives from the Commonwealth nations

Answer

The senior bishops of the Church of England sit in the House of Lords as the 'Lords Spiritual'.
The House of Lords consists of three distinct groups: Life Peers (who are appointed for their lifetime), a small number of hereditary peers, and the 'Lords Spiritual', who are the 26 most senior bishops of the Church of England.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the composition of the House of Lords.
The House of Lords is made up of Life Peers, Hereditary Peers, and Lords Spiritual.
This is a fundamental structural fact about the second chamber of the UK Parliament.
2
Define the term 'Lords Spiritual'.
Lords Spiritual are 26 senior bishops of the Church of England.
The Church of England is the established church in England and has a formal role in Parliament.
3
Select the option that matches this definition.
Senior bishops of the Church of England.
This correctly identifies the religious group that holds a right to sit in the chamber.

Key Concept

The membership and composition of the House of Lords
Estimated Time:45s
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Topics

The UK Parliament

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