Letters: How to slim down the nation

Peer review

Sir: A neat solution to the levels of inactivity of some members of the House of Lords (‘Peer pressure’, 1 August) might be annual self-assessment against national minimum standards: record of attendance (including duration), contributions to debates, questions asked, involvement in legislative procedure, notable achievements, charitable works. Any peer falling short should be shown the ornate door, as should any caught popping in just to claim their £300.
David Edwards
Norton sub Hamdon, Somerset

Matrix of success

Sir: It is agreed that the purpose of the Upper House is to employ its wisdom and experience to improve draft bills emanating from the Commons. The present occupants of the Lords hardly represent a font of all wisdom. There is wisdom there — but not enough. My suggestion is to create a matrix of seats each to be occupied on an ex officio basis. The matrix would be made up of the recently retired heads of a range of organisations such as selected FTSE 100 companies; armed forces and police; along with presidents of professional bodies, former PMs and chancellors of the Exchequer, and so on.