Library Note
Membership of the House of Lords: Ethnicity, Religion and
Disability
Members of the House of Lords are not required to provide information about their ethnicity, religious
beliefs or any disabilities they may have. However, there is continued interest in the representativeness
of the House, as currently composed. This Library Note provides background information on this
subject: it summarises existing research on the representation in the House of Lords of minority ethnic
groups, religions and disability, and sets out some of the challenges in collecting and interpreting this
information. To provide further context, the Note charts some of key developments in appointments to
the House. The Note concludes with consideration of the meaning of representation and how this
applies to the House of Lords.
Matthew Purvis
11 June 2014
LLN 2014/017
House of Lords Library Notes are compiled for the benefit of Members of the House of Lords and their personal staff,
to provide impartial, politically balanced briefing on subjects likely to be of interest to Members of the Lords. Authors
are available to discuss the contents of the Notes with the Members and their staff but cannot advise members of the
general public.
Any comments on Library Notes should be sent to the Head of Research Services, House of Lords Library,
London SW1A 0PW or emailed to vollmerp@parliament.uk.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 1
2. Ethnicity and Religion.................................................................................................................................. 1
3. Disability ........................................................................................................................................................ 7
4. Conceptualising Representation...