READING the letter from Mr Gordon Cann referring to a long overdue reform of the membership of the House of Lords (Echo, July 21). He states that nearly 800 members are entitled to a daily allowance of £300 each. Eye-watering numbers!

We are supposed to be a modern country living in modern times. I can see nothing modern in continuing to tolerate this old-fashioned and outdated regime - certainly not in such ridiculous numbers.

Our MPs do their best for us democratically and, allowing for the odd ‘faux pas’ (for which Mr Ellwood has publicly apologised), I am sure there would be a majority of our citizens nodding their heads at Mr Cann’s views.

RUTH COOKE

Redhill Park, Bournemouth