Change Rules On Convicted Criminals' Membership Of Lords, Says MP

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 23rd Jul 2003

Norman Lamb, the Liberal Democrat MP for North Norfolk, has criticised the Government's inaction over the issue of excluding from the House of Lords convicted criminals who are jailed for over twelve months. What Mr Lamb called the 'complacent attitude' of the Government was highlighted in a written answer he received from the Department of Constitutional Affairs.

At present, MPs who are convicted of an offence and sentenced to more than a year's imprisonment automatically lose their seats. However, peers can remain in the Lords under these circumstances as no such rule exists for the upper House. The issue has recently assumed particular importance with the announcement that Lord Archer of Weston-super-Mare is to be released from prison in July.

"Lord Archer's impending release from jail, whereupon under present rules he will be able to take up his seat in the Lords after the summer recess, highlights the need for the Government to act urgently to bring the Lords into line with the Commons on this point," commented Norman Lamb.

"It is utterly inappropriate for any convicted criminal who is jailed for more than twelve months to sit in either House. What sort of message does this send out to the public about the probity of Parliament? The Government recognises that there is a discrepancy between the Commons and the Lords, yet has done nothing to correct it. This is an extremely complacent attitude to adopt.

"We have seen the Government fail time and time again on Lords reform, and this is another example of its apparent inability to deal with the issue."