Strengthened arrangements for maintaining Standards in the House of Commons
In his final annual report as Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards, published today, Sir Philip Mawer sets out the progress made over the last five years in strengthening the arrangements for maintaining high standards of conduct among Members of Parliament. Improvements made include:
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a strengthening of the arrangements underpinning the independence and impartiality of the Committee on Standards and Privileges, and of the basis of appointment of the Commissioner.
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a revised Code of Conduct and clearer rules relating to the conduct of Members.
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improved briefing and guidance for Members.
Charting the number of complaints made against MPs over the last five years, Sir Philip notes that no clear trend is discernible. Whilst the total number of complaints rose significantly in the period covered by the report (1 April 2006-31 March 2007), the principal reason for this was a series of linked complaints by two MPs, against an eventual total of 25 others, about the alleged misuse of the House's private dining facilities for the purposes of party fund-raising. When these cases are removed, the total for 2006-07 comes down to 164, much more nearly in line with the total for previous years.
Commenting on his period as Commissioner, Sir Philip writes in the foreword to his report:
"In the introduction to my first annual report, I noted that I had begun my appointment amid anxiety that the way in which my predecessor had left office had called into question public, and some parliamentary confidence in the House's arrangements for regulating standards of conduct among its Members. I hope that I am able to leave office with that confidence in large measure restored: confidence among the public that expected standards are being upheld effectively; confidence among Members that they are being upheld fairly and proportionately."