THE Northern Ireland Secretary, Sir Patrick Mayhew, and the former leader of the Ulster Unionist Party, Sir James Molyneaux, have been named as life peers in the British government's pre election Honours List, published today.
The list of 21 peerages was drawn up before the election because a large number of MPs are standing down. Those eligible to take their seats in the House of Lords, as barons, include the former chairman of the Conservative Party, Mr Kenneth Baker, and the former foreign secretary, Mr Douglas Hurd.
For Labour, Ms Joan Lestor becomes a baroness, and the former deputy leader, Mr Roy Hattersley, and Mr Doug Hoyle have been made barons. The former president of the Scottish Liberal Democrats, Sir David Johnston, receives a peerage.
The former leader and deputy leader of the redundant Liberal Party, Sir David Steel, and Mr David Alton are made barons.