It also recommended the new elections convener post be put on a stronger, statutory footing.

BBC: 2011 election 'well run', says Electoral Commission

He tabled a motion calling for the government to bring forward legislation to enable peers to retire, to end by-elections for hereditary peers, to remove members convicted of a serious criminal offence and to put the House of Lords Appointments Commission on a statutory footing.

BBC: Steel calls on ministers to introduce interim reforms

At the conclusion of the debate, peers voted in favour of a motion tabled by Lib Dem peer Lord Steel calling on the government - but not compelling it - to introduce interim reforms to enable peers to retire, to end by-elections for hereditary peers, to remove members convicted of a serious criminal offence and to put the House of Lords Appointments Commission on a statutory footing.

BBC: Lords reform debate: part three