Survey
Apparent novices
It should be appreciated that the loss of a number of parliamentary returns leaves considerable gaps in our knowledge with regard to some Members’ careers in the Commons. Thus, these figures indicate the maximum possible number of newcomers to the Lower House on each given occasion, and the minimum number of Members already possessing a modicum of experience in its ways.
| Parliament |
Members known | Novices |
As a percentage | Experienced Members | As a percentage |
| 1386 | 252 | 83 | 33% | 169 | 67% |
| 1388 (Feb.) | 259 | 72 | 28% | 187 | 72% |
| 1388 (Sept.) | 250 | 104 | 42% | 146 | 58% |
| 1390 (Jan.) | 239 | 68 | 28% | 171 | 72% |
| 1390 (Nov.) | 90 | 27 | 30% | 63 | 70% |
| 1391 | 234 | 74 | 32% | 160 | 68% |
| 1393 | 245 | 97 | 40% | 148 | 60% |
| 1394 | 175 | 56 | 32% | 119 | 68% |
| 1395 | 251 | 94 | 37% | 157 | 63% |
| 1397 (Jan.) | 251 | 97 | 39% | 154 | 61% |
| 1397 (Sept.) | 203 | 86 | 42% | 117 | 58% |
| 1399 | 255 | 110 | 43% | 145 | 57% |
| 1401 | 116 | 51 | 44% | 65 | 56% |
| 1402 | 238 | 110 | 46% | 128 | 54% |
| 1404 (Jan.) | 120 | 53 | 44% | 67 | 56% |
| 1404 (Oct.) | 99 | 46 | 46% | 53 | 54% |
| 1406 | 241 | 145 | 60% | 96 | 40% |
| 1407 | 229 | 121 | 53% | 108 | 47% |
| 1410 | 121 | 61 | 50% | 62 | 50% |
| 1411 | 147 | 66 | 45% | 81 | 55% |
| 1413 (Feb.) | 24 | 9 | 38% | 15 | 62% |
| 1413 (May) | 251 | 127 | 51% | 124 | 49% |
| 1414 (Apr.) | 160 | 84 | 53% | 76 | 47% |
| 1414 (Nov.) | 250 | 104 | 42% | 146 | 58% |
| 1415 | 97 | 36 | 37% | 61 | 63% |
| 1416 (Mar.) | 176 | 73 | 41% | 103 | 59% |
| 1416 (Oct.) | 30 | 16 | 53% | 14 | 47% |
| 1417 | 211 | 86 | 41% | 125 | 59% |
| 1419 | 227 | 94 | 41% | 133 | 59% |
| 1420 | 250 | 131 | 52% | 119 | 48% |
| 1421 (May) | 249 | 80 | 32% | 169 | 68% |
| 1421 (Dec.) | 260 | 125 | 48% | 135 | 52% |
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