Life Peerages

Lord Shore of Stepney
asked Her Majesty's Government:How many life peerages were created during the premierships of:

(a) Harold Macmillan;(b) Sir Alec Douglas Home;(c) Harold Wilson (1964–70 and 1974–76);(d) Edward Heath;(e) James Callaghan;(f) Margaret Thatcher;(g) John Major; and(h) how many peers have been created since 2nd May 1997;
 and what is the total number of life peerages existing at present. [HL2292]

The Lord Privy Seal (Lord Richard)
The number of life peerages, excluding those created under the Appellate Jurisdiction Act 1876, created during the premierships of various Prime Ministers is as follows: -----------------------------------------
|                                       |
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|(a) Harold Macmillan                   |
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|(b) Sir Alec Douglas Home              |
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|(c) Harold Wilson (1964–70 and 1974–76)|
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|(d) Edward Heath                       |
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|(e) James Callaghan                    |
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|(f) Margaret Thatcher                  |
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|(g) John Major                         |
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|(h) Created since 2nd May 1997         |
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These totals do not include peerages which were announced but whose recipients died or withdrew their acceptance before their Letters Patent were sealed. Peerages are included under the premiership in which they were announced. Dissolution Honours sometimes fall in the outgoing premiership and sometimes, as in 1979, in the incoming premiership.As of 1 July 1998, there are 458 life peers (created under the Life Peerages Act 1958) plus 26 life peers created under the Appellate Jurisdiction Act 1876.