Peers too pricey

Many people must question what service Doreen Lawrence has given the nation to justify her appointment to the House of Lords and what talents she might bring to its operation as part of government (Lesley Riddoch, Perspective, 19 October).

I strenuously object to it on different grounds. The upper house is predominantly occupied by former MPs enjoying a supplementary pension of £300 per day and is massively overmanned, dwarfing the elected House of Commons.

When almost all government departments and local councils are suffering severe budget and staffing cuts and public service incomes are virtually frozen, there is no logic in adding to administration costs in this way.

Massive reduction – I would recommend complete abolition – would be a more appropriate attitude to this source of unnecessary public expenditure.

Robert Dow

Tranent, East Lothian