In 1949, an Act was passed to prevent the House of Lords from delay ing a bill for nore than one year to pass into a law Now, the House of lords can delay financial bills for only 30 days and all other than one year. Bills may be introduced into either the House of Commons or the House of Lords, except for financial bills, which may be introduced only in the House of Commons. The House of Lords does not have the power to amend legislation on taxation, which is considered solely the responsibil ity of the House of Commons <o So some people say that the house of lords is also a historical relic. However, it not completely correct to say that the Upper House has not any use What are the real functions of the house of lords? Because many members in the House of lords are experts in different fields, the debates and discussions are usually of a higher level than those in the house of Commons. Sometimes they can get a bill amended through their influence Moreover, in the judicial functions it is unique. The House of Lords is the highest court in the United Kingdom hearing civil and criminal appeals from the lower courts So, the real power of the House of Lords lies in being Supreme Court, i.e. the House of Lords has a special judicial function. It is the final court of appeal in civil cases and criminal cases, except criminal cases in Scotland. But sitting as the highest court of appeal, the Lords'deliberations( ix) are limited to those peers with judicial experience, including the law lords, who are life peers appointed(since 1876)to enhance the lords judicial ability The two houses of parliament the lord s and the commons share the same building, the Palace of Westminster. The House of Lords uses the south part of th Palace. They have their own restaurant, bar, private rooms for the leaders, and also offices for those who hold Government positions. The President of the House of Lords is called“ Lord chancellor(议长)由拥有贵族称号的内阁大臣兼任) who was once the King s right-hand man The House of Lords meets on three (or four) afternoons each week during the session of Parliament. In other words, it sits on about 120 days a year. All the peers right to speak, vote, propose bills or ask questions of ministers. But usually the thusiastic about debates. Peers get arli allowance of 8, 59 pounds for each day of attendance since 1958. A lord is not allowed to join any political party. Having no right to vote at parliamentary elections, a lord cannot stand for election to become a member of lower house. This means he can never become the Prime Minister. Only by giv ing up his noble title can a lord enjoy all the political rights granted to common citizens In January 2000, the Wakeham Commission published a report on the reform of15 In 1949, an Act was passed to prevent the House of Lords from delaying a bill for more than one year to pass into a law. Now, the House of Lords can delay financial bills for only 30 days and all other bills for no more than one year. Bills may be introduced into either the House of Commons or the House of Lords, except for financial bills, which may be introduced only in the House of Commons. The House of Lords does not have the power to amend legislation on taxation, which is considered solely the responsibility of the House of Commons. So some people say that the House of Lords is also a historical relic. However, it is not completely correct to say that the Upper House has not any use. What are the real functions of the House of Lords? Because many members in the House of Lords are experts in different fields, the debates and discussions are usually of a higher level than those in the House of Commons. Sometimes they can get a bill amended through their influence. Moreover, in the judicial functions it is unique. The House of Lords is the highest court in the United Kingdom hearing civil and criminal appeals from the lower courts. So, the real power of the House of Lords lies in being Supreme Court, i.e. the House of Lords has a special judicial function. It is the final court of appeal in civil cases and criminal cases, except criminal cases in Scotland. But, when sitting as the highest court of appeal, the Lords’ deliberations (审议) are limited to those peers with judicial experience, including the law lords, who are life peers appointed (since 1876) to enhance the Lords’ judicial ability. The two Houses of Parliament, the Lords and the Commons share the same building, the Palace of Westminster. The House of Lords uses the south part of the Palace. They have their own restaurant, bar, private rooms for the leaders, and also offices for those who hold Government positions. The President of the House of Lords is called “Lord Chancellor”(议长)(由拥有贵族称号的内阁大臣兼任) who was once the King’s right-hand man. The House of Lords meets on three (or four) afternoons each week during the session of Parliament. In other words, it sits on about 120 days a year. All the peers have the right to speak, vote, propose bills or ask questions of ministers. But usually they are not enthusiastic about debates. Peers get no parliamentary salary but an allowance of 8,59 pounds for each day of attendance since 1958. A lord is not allowed to join any political party. Having no right to vote at parliamentary elections, a lord cannot stand for election to become a member of Lower House. This means he can never become the Prime Minister. Only by giving up his noble title can a lord enjoy all the political rights granted to common citizens. In January 2000, the Wakeham Commission published a report on the reform of