To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the means by which the writ of summons of an hereditary peer can be overridden or annulled. [HL2544]

The House of Lords Committee for Privileges confirmed in its first report of 2009-10 (HL 87) that a Writ of Summons cannot be withheld from a Peer who is otherwise entitled to receive it. Only legislation can override the entitlement.

The Constitutional Reform and Governance Bill would provide the House with a power to make Standing Orders under which it may resolve to expel or suspend a Peer. It also provides that where such a resolution is passed, any Writ of Summons already issued to the Peer would cease to have effect.