Lords to be banned from lobbying for cash

Peers are to be banned from taking money for Parliamentary lobbying under proposals published today.

A group of peers tasked with reviewing the House of Lords code of conduct urged that members should not be able to profit financially from their position.

The review, chaired by former archbishop of Armagh Lord Eames, was set up amid claims that peers were being paid to secure amendments to legislation.

"There is no place in the House of Lords for 'peers for hire'," Lord Eames said.

His review group also called for peers paid for non-parliamentary public affairs consultancy to be required to declare whom they advise.

In a separate move, Lord Eames's review recommended that an independent commissioner for standards be created to investigate complaints about Lords expenses claims.