[394:2] The question whether they sat by virtue of their tenure of land, or of their offices in the Church, has been a subject of some discussion. Cf. Pike, 151 et seq. Anson, I., 220-22.
[395:1] And possibly with others. Cf. Anson, I., 197-200.
[395:2] At one time the House of Lords held that a Scotch peer could not be given an hereditary seat as a peer of Great Britain; but this decision was afterwards reversed. Pike, 361-62. A peer so created can still vote for representatives as a Scotch peer. Ibid., 362-63. And there has been some doubt whether, if a representative peer, he vacates his seat at once. Ibid., 362, May, 13.
[396:1] The number is now less than one hundred.
[396:2] The Bishop of Sodor and Man has a seat, but no vote.
[396:3] There are now ten English bishops who do not sit in the House of Lords.
[397:1] Cf. Pike, 369-76. Stubbs, "Const. Hist.," 5 Ed., III., 454.
[397:2] Before appointment they must have held high judicial office for two years, or have practised at the English, Scotch, or Irish bar for fifteen years.
[398:1] Pike, 285-87; Anson, I., 227-28. These cases are referred to the Committee of Privileges.
[398:2] The Act of 1870 abolished corruption of blood, so that a sentence no longer cuts off the heirs.