The centuries-old practice of printing laws on vellum is set to end from April to save £80,000 a year.

Sharon Hodgson, a Labour MP, raised a point of order in the House of Commons after a supplier of vellum was given 30 days’ notice by the parliamentary authorities that it would no longer be needed.

She said this went against promises that MPs would be given a vote before any decision was taken to end the practice of printing legislation on calfskin.

Under the plans, money would be saved by printing the laws on high-quality paper instead. Supporters of printing on vellum say it lasts for thousands of years rather than the hundreds of years that paper can survive.

Hodgson said: “All of our most important historical documents, from Magna Carta to the Lindisfarne Gospels, have been made by using vellum and because of this have lasted through the ages so that future generations can appreciate and understand our shared history.

“That is why it was disappointing that such an important decision, with ramifications on the future of the craft and the conservation of our history, was pushed through without any prior consent of the House of Commons and instead using a ruling made by the House of Lords from over 16 years ago – which was rejected by the House of Commons at the time – to push forward on this change.

“I appreciate what Mr Speaker had to say in regards to the advice he gave me during my point of order and will take it into consideration to ensure that we can continue our campaign to preserve this important craft heritage into the future.”

A House of Lords spokesperson told the Telegraph: “We took the view a long time ago that we wanted this to stop and as far as we are concerned the decision has been made.”

“This will save an expected £80,000 a year,” the spokesperson said, adding: “Our archival paper has a lifespan of 500 years.”