since the marquess of salisbury in 1895, all time in parliamentary service before being prime minister has been in the house of commons, apart from sir alec douglas-home's period as a member of the government while in the house of lords (1951–63; though he was previously the elected member for lanark, 1931-1945). after becoming prime minister, douglas-home returned to the commons by winning a by-election on the recess death of mp gilmour leburn.