Lord Chancellor Lord Irvine has conceded that reform of the Lords is one of the "most difficult issues in politics for more than a century".

BBC: Heavyweights clash over Lords reform

Peculiarly, retired Law Lords, Lord Chancellors and senior judges, in addition to the current Lord Chancellor, can also sit on cases.

ECONOMIST: The law: Judging the judges | The

The Lord Chancellor has been the head of the judiciary, the nominal head of the House of Lords and a senior member of the cabinet.

ECONOMIST: Britain's cabinet reshuffle