The Peerage Act 1963 (1963 c. 48) is a significant act in the history of the British Peerage. It allowed the disclaiming of peerages, and permitted female and Scottish hereditary peers to sit in the House of Lords. This is a list of Acts of the Scottish Parliament. ... This is a list of Acts passed by the Parliament of Northern Ireland. ... This is a list of Acts of the Northern Ireland Assembly passed by that body during its existence between 2000 and 2002 when it was suspended. ... This is a list of Measures of the National Assembly for Wales. ... The is a list of Orders in Council for Northern Ireland which are primary legislation for the province when the it is being directly ruled from London and also for those powers not devolved to the Northern Ireland Assembly. ... Statutory Instruments (SIs) are parts of United Kingdom law separate from Acts of Parliament which do not require full Parliamentary approval before becoming law. ... For other uses, see Peerage (disambiguation). ...

Background

The Act resulted largely from the protests of one man, the Labour politician Tony Benn, then second Viscount Stansgate. Under British law at the time, peers (meeting certain qualifications, such as age) were automatically members of the House of Lords and could not sit in, or even vote in elections for, the other chamber, the House of Commons. When William Wedgwood Benn, Tony Benn's father, agreed to accept the Viscountcy, he ensured that the would-be heir, his eldest son Michael, did not plan to enter the House of Commons. Within a few years of Benn's acceptance of the title, however, Michael Benn was killed in action, and Tony Benn, as his younger brother, became the heir to the peerage. The younger Benn then became a member of the House of Commons, and did not intend to leave it for the other House, so he campaigned through the 1950s for a change in the law. The Labour Party is a centre-left or social democratic political party in Britain (see British politics), and one of the United Kingdoms three main political parties. ... Anthony Tony Neil Wedgwood Benn (born 3 April 1925), formerly 2nd Viscount Stansgate, is a British socialist politician. ... Viscount Stansgate, of Stansgate in the County of Essex, is a currently disclaimed title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. ... The House of Lords is the upper house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom and is also commonly referred to as the Lords. The Sovereign, the House of Commons (which is the lower house of Parliament and referred to as the Commons), and the Lords together comprise the Parliament. ... Type Lower House Speaker of the House of Commons Leader of the House of Commons Michael Martin, (Non-affiliated) since October 23, 2000 Harriet Harman, QC, (Labour) since June 28, 2007 Shadow Leader of the House of Commons Theresa May, PC, (Conservative) since December 6, 2005 Members 646 Political groups... William Wedgwood Benn, 1st Viscount Stansgate, PC (1877 - 1960) was a British Liberal MP who later joined the Labour Party and served as Secretary of State for India in Ramsay MacDonalds second administration. ... This does not cite any references or sources. ...

In 1960, the first Viscount died and Tony Benn inherited the title, losing his seat in the House of Commons for the constituency of Bristol South East. In the ensuing by-election, however, Benn was re-elected to the House despite being disqualified. A court ruled that he could not take his seat, instead giving it to the runner-up, the Conservative Malcolm St Clair. In 1963, the Conservative Government agreed to introduce the Peerage Bill allowing individuals to disclaim peerages. Tony Benn was the first peer to make use of the act. Mr St. Clair then accepted the office of Steward of the Chiltern Hundreds, thereby disqualifying himself from the House (outright resignation is prohibited), and Benn was then re-elected at the ensuing by-election. Bristol South East was a parliamentary constituency in the city of Bristol. ... Malcolm Archibald James St. ... The Chiltern Hundreds date back to the 13th century. ...

Disclaiming Peerages

To disclaim an hereditary peerage, the peer must deliver an instrument of disclaimer to the Lord Chancellor within twelve months of succeeding to the peerage, or within twelve months of passage of the Act, or, if under the age of twenty-one at the time of succession, within twelve months of becoming twenty-one years old. If, at the time of succession, the peer is a member of the House of Commons, then the instrument must be delivered within one month of succession, and until such an instrument is delivered, the peer may neither sit nor vote in the lower House. Prior to the House of Lords Act 1999, an hereditary peer could not disclaim a peerage after having applied for a writ of summons to Parliament; now, however, hereditary peers do not have the automatic right to a writ of summons to the House. Irish peerages may not be disclaimed. A peer who disclaims the peerage loses all titles, rights and privileges associated with the peerage; if he is a married man, so does his wife. No further hereditary peerages may be conferred upon the person, but life peerages may be. The peerage remains without a holder until the death of the peer making the disclaimer, when it descends as if it were never renounced. The House of Lords Act 1999, an Act of Parliament passed by the British Parliament, was a major constitutional enactment as it reformed greatly one of the chambers of Parliament, the House of Lords (see Lords Reform). ...

The timing of the Act had a significant influence on British politics, with the resignation of Harold Macmillan as Prime Minister in 1963. Two hereditary peers wished to be considered to replace him, Quintin Hogg, 2nd Viscount Hailsham and Alec Douglas Home, 14th Earl of Home, and were able to disclaim their titles in the twelve months following passage of the Act. Douglas-Home was chosen. Both later returned to the House of Lords as life peers. Maurice Harold Macmillan, 1st Earl of Stockton, OM, PC (10 February 1894 – 29 December 1986), was a British Conservative politician and Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1957 to 1963. ... The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is, in practice, the political leader of the United Kingdom. ... Quintin McGarel Hogg, Baron Hailsham of St Marylebone, KG, CH, PC, QC (9 October 1907 – 12 October 2001), formerly 2nd Viscount Hailsham (1950–1963), was a British judge and Conservative politician. ... Alexander Frederick Douglas-Home, Baron Home of the Hirsel,[1] KT, PC (2 July 1903 - 9 October 1995) 14th Earl of Home from 1951 to 1963, was a British Conservative (actually SUP) politician, and served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom for a year from October 1963 to October...

Since the abolition of the general right of hereditary peers to sit in the House of Lords, it is no longer necessary for hereditary peers to renounce their peerages in order to sit in the House of Commons. In 2001 John Sinclair, 3rd Viscount Thurso became the first British hereditary peer to be elected to the Commons and take his seat. Later that year Douglas Hogg inherited his father's peerage (the Viscountcy of Hailsham) and did not have to disclaim the title but continued to sit in the Commons. The House of Lords is the upper house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom and is also commonly referred to as the Lords. The Sovereign, the House of Commons (which is the lower house of Parliament and referred to as the Commons), and the Lords together comprise the Parliament. ... Year 2001 (MMI) was a common year starting on Monday (link displays the 2001 Gregorian calendar). ... John Sinclair, 3rd Viscount Thurso John Archibald Sinclair, 3rd Viscount Thurso (born 10 September 1953), known as John Thurso, is a Scottish businessman and Liberal Democrat politician. ... Douglas Martin Hogg, 3rd Viscount Hailsham, PC (born February 2, 1945), is a British politician and barrister. ...

Other Provisions

The Act granted Peers of Scotland the same right to sit in the House of Lords as Peers of England, Great Britain or the United Kingdom, thereby ending the election of representative peers. An amendment that would have allowed Irish peers to sit in the House as well was defeated by ninety votes to eight. In the United Kingdom, representative peers were individuals elected by the members of the Peerage of Scotland and the Peerage of Ireland to represent them in the British House of Lords. ...

The Act also granted suo jure hereditary peeresses the right to sit in the House of Lords, which introduced twelve new women to the House. This was not the first time that women were members of the House of Lords; the Life Peerages Act 1958 allowed all life peers (men and women) to sit in the House. The women who took their seats in the House when the Act was passed were: The Life Peerages Act 1958 established the modern standards for the creation of Life Peers by the monarch of the United Kingdom, and granted them non-hereditary voting status in the House of Lords. ...

1. The Countess of Erroll
2. The Countess of Sutherland
3. The Countess of Loudoun
4. The Countess of Dysart
5. The Countess of Seafield
6. The Lady de Ros
7. The Lady Zouche
8. The Lady Darcy de Knayth
9. The Lady Berkeley
10. The Lady Berners
11. The Lady Lucas of Crudwell
12. The Lady Kinloss

Barbara Huddleston Abney-Hastings, 13th Countess of Loudoun (1919-2002) succeeded to the Earldom of Loudoun in 1960. ... Katherine Grant of Rothiemurchus, 12th Countess of Dysart and Lady Huntingtower; born 1 June 1918. ... Georgiana Angela Maxwell, 27th Baroness de Ros (née Ross) (1933–1983) succeeded her grandmother Una Ross after the title was called out of abeyance in her favor in 1958. ... Davina Marcia Herbert Ingrams, 18th Baroness Darcy de Knayth, DBE (born 10 July 1938) is a crossbench member of the House of Lords. ... (Beatrice) Mary Grenville Freeman-Grenville, 12th Lady Kinloss (born 18 August 1922) is a Scottish Peeress. ...

List of disclaimed peerages

• Baron Altrincham, by John Grigg, from 1963 to 2001
• Baron Archibald, by Christopher Archibald from 1975 to 1996
• Baron Beaverbrook, by Sir Max Aitken, 2nd Baronet, from 1964 to 1985
• Viscount Camrose and Baron Camrose, by William Michael Berry, Baron Hartwell, from 1995 to 2001
• Earl of Durham, Viscount Lambton and Baron Durham, by Antony Lambton, from 1970 to 2006
• Baron Fraser of Allander, by Sir Hugh Fraser, 2nd Baronet, from 1966 to 1987
• Viscount Hailsham and Baron Hailsham, by Quintin Hogg (later Baron Hailsham of St Marylebone) from 1963 to 2001
• Earl of Home, Lord Home, Lord Dunglass and Baron Douglas, by Alec Douglas-Home (later Baron Home of the Hirsel) from 1963 to 1995
• Baron Merthyr, by Trevor Lewis, since 1977
• Baron Monkswell, by William Collier, from 1964 to 1984
• Baron Reith, by Christopher Reith, since 1972
• Baron Sanderson of Ayot, by Alan Sanderson, since 1971
• Earl of Sandwich, Viscount Hinchingbrooke and Baron Montagu of St Neots, by Victor Montagu, from 1964 to 1995
• Earl of Selkirk and Lord Daer and Shortcleuch, by Lord James Douglas-Hamilton (later Baron Selkirk of Douglas), since 1994
• Baron Silkin, by Arthur Silkin, from 1972 to 2001
• Baron Silkin, by Christopher Silkin, since 2002
• Baron Southampton, by Charles FitzRoy, from 1964 to 1989
• Viscount Stansgate, by Tony Benn since 1963

Baron Altrincham is a title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. ... John Edward Poynder Grigg (April 15, 1924 - December 31, 2001) was a British writer, historian and politician. ... Year 1963 (MCMLXIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2001 (MMI) was a common year starting on Monday (link displays the 2001 Gregorian calendar). ... The title of Baron Archibald was created in the Peerage of the United Kingdom in 1949. ... Year 1975 (MCMLXXV) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1996 (MCMXCVI) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display full 1996 Gregorian calendar). ... Baron Beaverbrook is a peerage title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. ... The Honourable Sir John William Maxwell Max Aitken, 2nd Baronet, DSO, DFC (15 February 1910–30 April 1985), formerly 2nd Baron Beaverbrook, was the son of Max Aitken, 1st Baron Beaverbrook. ... 1964 (MCMLXIV) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (the link is to a full 1964 calendar). ... Year 1985 (MCMLXXXV) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link displays 1985 Gregorian calendar). ... Viscount Camrose, of Hackwood Park in the County of Southampton, is a title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. ... Viscount Camrose, of Hackwood Park in the County of Southampton, is a title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. ... William Michael Berry, the 3rd Viscount Camrose and Baron Hartwell (28 May 1911-3 April 2001) was a newspaper proprietor and journalist. ... Year 1995 (MCMXCV) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full 1995 Gregorian calendar). ... Year 2001 (MMI) was a common year starting on Monday (link displays the 2001 Gregorian calendar). ... The title of Earl of Durham was created in the Peerage of the United Kingdom in 1833 for John Lambton, 1st Baron Durham, a prominent Whig politician and author of the famous Report on the Affairs of British North America known in Canada as the Durham Report. ... The title of Earl of Durham was created in the Peerage of the United Kingdom in 1833 for John Lambton, 1st Baron Durham, a prominent Whig politician and author of the famous Report on the Affairs of British North America known in Canada as the Durham Report. ... The title of Earl of Durham was created in the Peerage of the United Kingdom in 1833 for John Lambton, 1st Baron Durham, a prominent Whig politician and author of the famous Report on the Affairs of British North America known in Canada as the Durham Report. ... Anthony Claud Frederick Lambton (born 10 July 1922) was the Conservative Member of Parliament for Berwick_upon_Tweed from 1951 until 1973, and a cousin of Sir Alec Douglas-Home, the former Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary, and. ... 1970 (MCMLXX) was a common year starting on Thursday. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday (link displays full 2006 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... The peerage title Baron Fraser of Allander was created in 1964 in the United Kingdom for Sir Hugh Fraser, who had been made a baronet in 1961. ... Sir Hugh Fraser, 2nd Baronet (18 September 1936–5 May 1987), formerly 2nd Baron Fraser of Allander, was chairman of the House of Fraser, Harrods, George Outram (company), and Whyte and Mackay. ... Year 1966 (MCMLXVI) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar) of the 1966 Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1987 (MCMLXXXVII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link displays 1987 Gregorian calendar). ... Viscount Hailsham is a title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. ... Viscount Hailsham is a title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. ... Quintin McGarel Hogg, Baron Hailsham of St Marylebone, KG, CH, PC, QC (9 October 1907 – 12 October 2001), formerly 2nd Viscount Hailsham (1950–1963), was a British judge and Conservative politician. ... Year 1963 (MCMLXIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2001 (MMI) was a common year starting on Monday (link displays the 2001 Gregorian calendar). ... The title Earl of Home (pronounced Hume) was created in 1605 in the Peerage of Scotland for Alexander Home, who was also the sixth Lord Home. ... The title Earl of Home (pronounced Hume) was created in 1605 in the Peerage of Scotland for Alexander Home, who was also the sixth Lord Home. ... The title Earl of Home (pronounced Hume) was created in 1605 in the Peerage of Scotland for Alexander Home, who was also the sixth Lord Home. ... The title Earl of Home (pronounced Hume) was created in 1605 in the Peerage of Scotland for Alexander Home, who was also the sixth Lord Home. ... Alexander Frederick Douglas-Home, Baron Home of the Hirsel,[1] KT, PC (2 July 1903 - 9 October 1995) 14th Earl of Home from 1951 to 1963, was a British Conservative (actually SUP) politician, and served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom for a year from October 1963 to October... Year 1963 (MCMLXIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1995 (MCMXCV) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full 1995 Gregorian calendar). ... Baron Merthyr, of Senghenydd in the County of Glamorgan, is a title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. ... Also: 1977 (album) by Ash. ... Baron Monkswell is a peerage title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. ... William Collier, Jr. ... 1964 (MCMLXIV) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (the link is to a full 1964 calendar). ... Year 1984 (MCMLXXXIV) was a leap year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1984 Gregorian calendar). ... Baron Reith is a peerage title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. ... Year 1972 (MCMLXXII) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Baron Sanderson of Ayot is a title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. ... Year 1971 (MCMLXXI) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar) of the 1971 Gregorian calendar. ... The Earl of Sandwich is a title in the peerage of England, created by Charles II and bestowed upon Sir Edward Montagu. ... The Earl of Sandwich is a title in the peerage of England, created by Charles II and bestowed upon Sir Edward Montagu. ... The Earl of Sandwich is a title in the peerage of England, created by Charles II and bestowed upon Sir Edward Montagu. ... (Alexander) Victor Edward Paulet Montagu (22 May 1906–25 February 1995), briefly 10th Earl of Sandwich and known from birth until 1962 as Viscount Hinchingbrooke, was a Conservative Member of Parliament and right-wing politician. ... 1964 (MCMLXIV) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (the link is to a full 1964 calendar). ... Year 1995 (MCMXCV) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full 1995 Gregorian calendar). ... Earl of Selkirk is a title in the Peerage of Scotland, created in 1646. ... Earl of Selkirk is a title in the Peerage of Scotland, created in 1646. ... James Douglas-Hamilton, Baron Selkirk of Douglas, PC, QC (born 31 July 1942), briefly 11th Earl of Selkirk and styled The Lord James Douglas-Hamilton (he is the younger son of the 14th Duke of Hamilton and Brandon) 1942-1997, is a Scottish Conservative Member of the Scottish Parliament for... Year 1994 (MCMXCIV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display full 1994 Gregorian calendar). ... Baron Silkin is a title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. ... Arthur Silkin, 2nd Baron Silkin (1916–2001) was the eldest son of the solicitor Lewis Silkin. ... Year 1972 (MCMLXXII) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2001 (MMI) was a common year starting on Monday (link displays the 2001 Gregorian calendar). ... Baron Silkin is a title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. ... Also see: 2002 (number). ... The title of Baron Southampton was created in the Peerage of Great Britain in 1780 and is still extant. ... 1964 (MCMLXIV) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (the link is to a full 1964 calendar). ... Year 1989 (MCMLXXXIX) was a common year starting on Sunday (link displays 1989 Gregorian calendar). ... Viscount Stansgate, of Stansgate in the County of Essex, is a currently disclaimed title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. ... Anthony Tony Neil Wedgwood Benn (born 3 April 1925), formerly 2nd Viscount Stansgate, is a British socialist politician. ... Year 1963 (MCMLXIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

See also

• Peerage Act 1963 (Wikisource)

References

• Official text of the Act as amended and in force today in the UK, from the Statute Law Database
• Cox, Noel. "The Legal Standing of the Peerage and Baronetage." New Zealand Universities Law Review.
• Peerage Act 1963.