THE case for an increase in the salaries of Members of Parliament would be strengthened if the long overdue reform of the membership of the House of Lords was made.

Currently there are nearly 800 members, all entitled to a daily attendance allowance of £300 – over 90 hereditary peers still have the right to vote on legislation as well as a select group of Bishops from the Church of England.

There can be no democratic justification for such privileges.

GORDON CANN

Craigmoor Avenue, Bournemouth