HL Deb 02 July 1998 vol 591 cc88-9WA
Lord Shore of Stepney

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many life peerages were created during the premierships of:

  1. (a) Harold Macmillan;
  2. (b) Sir Alec Douglas Home;
  3. (c) Harold Wilson (1964–70 and 1974–76);
  4. (d) Edward Heath;
  5. (e) James Callaghan;
  6. (f) Margaret Thatcher;
  7. (g) John Major; and
  8. (h) how many peers have been created since 2nd May 1997;
and what is the total number of life peerages existing at present. [HL2292]

The Lord Privy Seal (Lord Richard)

The number of life peerages, excluding those created under the Appellate Jurisdiction Act 1876, created during the premierships of various Prime Ministers is as follows:

Number
(a) Harold Macmillan 47
(b) Sir Alec Douglas Home 15
(c) Harold Wilson (1964–70 and 1974–76) 214 (134+80)
(d) Edward Heath 45
(e) James Callaghan 58
(f) Margaret Thatcher 201
(g) John Major 160
(h) Created since 2nd May 1997 *69
*Excludes 4 new peers announced in the Birthday Honours List on 13 June 1998 and 27 working peers announced on 20 June 1998, none of whom have yet received their Letters Patent.

These totals do not include peerages which were announced but whose recipients died or withdrew their acceptance before their Letters Patent were sealed. Peerages are included under the premiership in which they were announced. Dissolution Honours sometimes fall in the outgoing premiership and sometimes, as in 1979, in the incoming premiership.

As of 1 July 1998, there are 458 life peers (created under the Life Peerages Act 1958) plus 26 life peers created under the Appellate Jurisdiction Act 1876.