<P> The Parliament Act 1911, as it became, prevented the Lords from blocking a money bill (a bill dealing with taxation), and allowed them to delay any other bill for a maximum of three sessions (reduced to two sessions in 1949), after which it could become law over their objections . However, regardless of the Parliament Acts of 1911 and 1949, the House of Lords has always retained the unrestricted power to veto any bill outright which attempts to extend the life of a parliament . </P> <P> The Government of Ireland Act 1920 created the parliaments of Northern Ireland and Southern Ireland and reduced the representation of both parts at Westminster . The number of Northern Ireland seats was increased again after the introduction of direct rule in 1973 . The Irish Free State became independent in 1922, and in 1927 parliament was renamed the Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland . </P> <P> Further reforms to the House of Lords were made in the 20th century . The Life Peerages Act 1958 authorised the regular creation of life peerage dignities . By the 1960s, the regular creation of hereditary peerage dignities had ceased; thereafter, almost all new peers were life peers only . </P> <P> The House of Lords Act 1999 removed the automatic right of hereditary peers to sit in the Upper House, although it made an exception for 92 of them to be elected to life - terms by the other hereditary peers, with by - elections upon their death . The House of Lords is now a chamber that is subordinate to the House of Commons . Additionally, the Constitutional Reform Act 2005 led to abolition of the judicial functions of the House of Lords with the creation of the new Supreme Court of the United Kingdom in October 2009 . </P>

What is another name for a seat in parliament