Standards Committee issues principles to govern Parliament's review of MPs' allowances - MPs should lead by example

COMMITTEE ON STANDARDS IN PUBLIC LIFE News Release (PN 213) issued by The Government News Network on 10 April 2008

The Committee for Standards in Public Life today published a set of principles which it believes should be followed in the review of MPs' allowances currently being carried out by Parliament.

The Chairman of the Committee, Sir Christopher Kelly said

"Recent events concerning the current allowances regime for MPs have been damaging to public trust in Parliament and a fundamental review of allowances is required. The Members Estimate Committee has been asked to carry out a "root and branch" review, and this is what my Committee would like to see done.

My Committee takes the view that the arrangements for MPs in regard to their remuneration and reimbursement of expenses should meet the highest standards of transparency, probity and accountability. We have therefore drawn up these principles as a statement of observed best practice from other sectors of the United Kingdom. It is essential that our elected representatives are seen to lead by example.

The Committee has publicly welcomed the recognition by the Members' Estimate Committee that one of the key requirements of any new system resulting from the current review is that it should command public respect. If the outcome of the current review fails to command public confidence then the Committee is prepared to undertake its own independent review of the issues involved."

NOTES FOR EDITORS

1. A copy of the Committee's Principles to Govern a Review of MPs' Allowances is available on its website http://www.public-standards@x.gsi.gov.uk

2. The Committee's standing terms of reference are: "To examine current concerns about standards of conduct of all holders of public office, including arrangements relating to financial and commercial activities, and make recommendations as to any changes in present arrangements which might be required to ensure the highest standards of propriety in public life".

3. On 12 November 1997 additional terms of reference for the study on the funding of political parties were announced by the Prime Minister as: "To review issues in relation to the funding of political parties, and to make recommendations as to arrangements." The Committee's terms of reference specifically preclude it from investigating individual cases or specific allegations of misconduct. Nor has the Committee any powers to require others to do so. But the Committee may take account of information on material cases in formulating its recommendations.

4. In a statement on 30 January, Sir Christopher Kelly commented on the Parliamentary Standards and Privileges Committee's report into Derek Conway MP, saying that the issue of MPs' allowances and employment of family members "is certainly an area which needs review. Before deciding on whether this is a task for my Committee, I would want to see what action Parliament itself proposes to take. I know that many MPs will share the view that the actions of a few can bring all of them into disrepute".

5. In a further statement on 27 February, Sir Christopher commented "My Committee has recently discussed how to respond to current public concerns about parliamentary allowances. There can be no doubt that recent events have been damaging to public trust in Parliament and that a fundamental review of allowances is required if trust is to be restored. My understanding is that many Members of Parliament share this view. My Committee therefore intends to produce a statement of the principles that we believe a new system of allowances should follow if it is to measure up to the highest standards expected elsewhere. The Speaker has told me that he would welcome this. The principles will inform the discussions which we have been invited to have with the Members Estimate Committee. They will also inform any views we may subsequently express on the outcome of the review."

6. Previous reports by the Committee into Parliamentary standards include its First Report (1994) which covered Members of Parliament among other key groups of public office-holders; its Seventh Report (2000 - Standards of Conduct in the House of Lords) and its Eighth Report (2002 - Standards of Conduct in the House of Commons).

7. The full current membership of the Committee is: Sir Christopher Kelly KCB (Chair), Lloyd Clarke QPM, Oliver Heald MP, Sir Derek Morris MA Dphil, Dame Patricia Hodgson DBE, Baroness Maddock, The Rt Hon Alun Michael JP MP, Dr Elizabeth Vallance JP and Dr Brian Woods-Scawen DL CBE

Issued by:

The Committee on Standards in Public Life
35 Great Smith Street
London
SW1P 3BQ
Internet site:
http://www.public-standards.gov.uk
e-mail:
public@standards.x.gsi.gov.uk

Committee on Standards in Public Life
35 Great Smith Street
London SW1P 3BQ