THE House of Lords seems to have degenerated into a resting place for drop-ins (ermine-clad hereditary peers), drop-outs (ex- MPs), rewardees and a group of deluded churchmen.

There lies the reason we are desperately in need of a second elected chamber, with the power to make the government think again over some of its decisions, and to tie up some of the loopholes that are deliberately left by lawyers so that fellow lawyers can come along and exploit them.

Unfortunately, there is little chance of any government taking the time and trouble to take such drastic steps.

If these changes were to come about, where would we find enough honest people who would put country before self?

J Sayers, Spennymoor, Co Durham.