Lord Archer

This Month Lord Archer leaves prison. It is right that he should be able to return to normal society, since he has paid his debts - but is it right that he should return to Parliament as well?

An MP who is jailed for more than 12 months is expelled from the Commons, but Lords may return. We would be reluctant to deprive the Upper House of the expertise on the penal system which Lord Archer could surely bring to prison debates, but if there is one rule for the Lower House it should hold good for the Upper House too.

Robin Cook when Leader of the Commons promised legislation which would strip disgraced peers of their title. Now that peers have accepted that they cannot block Lord Archer's return in time, they may challenge him with calls for a suspension of debate.

With an MP or two already agitating for the Government to consider this as a matter of urgency, will the new Leader, Peter Hain, back his predecessor's pledge?