Two MPs and three peers could lose their right to vote in the European parliament under proposals championed by Europe minister Peter Hain, according to the latest issue of The House Magazine.

Under the plans, dual membership of both the European and Westminster parliaments would be abolished.

Such a change would affect Conservative Lord Inglewood, Liberal Democrat Baronesses Ludford and Nicholson, former Social and Democratic Labour Party leader John Hume and the Democratic Unionist Party's Rev Ian Paisley. None have as yet announced their intention to stand down.

The ban would apply to the 2004 elections, however the five would remain in their seats until 2009.

The move would be in line with internal Labour Party policy and moves by the European parliament itself, but it could have human rights implications. It also contrasts with recent legislation allowing Northern Ireland assembly members to sit in the House of Commons.

"We expect the act to be formally agreed by the general affairs council during the first half of this year, after which it will need to be ratified by all 15 member state parliaments," Hain wrote in a private letter to the five politicians.

He has argued that the ban would be "in the spirit" of the Royal Commission on House of Lords reform. However the report recommended no such thing, instead stating that "no-one should become a member of the second chamber by virtue of being a United Kingdom MEP."