Press Notice 4 (17 July 2003)

New measures to ensure MPs observe higher Standards

New measures to help MPs ensure high standards of conduct and a significant fall in the number of complaints against Members are described in the annual report of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards, Sir Philip Mawer, published today.

Covering the period 1 March 2002 to 31 March 2003, the report - the first ever by a Standards Commissioner - provides the public with more information about parliamentary standards arrangements than has ever been published before.

The machinery for regulating standards has been strengthened as a result of changes approved by the House of Commons following recommendations by the Committee on Standards in Public Life (the Wicks Committee). These include:

• a 5 year, non-renewable term of appointment for the Commissioner

• an equal balance between Government and Opposition Members on the Committee on Standards and Privileges

• a new investigatory procedure for serious, complex cases.

With the support of the Committee on Standards and Privileges, the Commissioner has put greater emphasis on guidance and advice to Members to help them observe high standards of conduct. This has included:

• simplifying and clarifying what is expected of Members

• issuing to Members advice notes and reference material on standards matters

• arranging workshops for Members on revised rules relating to conduct matters.

The report reveals a steady decline over the last 3 years in the number of complaints against MPs, with a particularly significant fall in the last 12 months. The number of letters of complaints to the Commissioner fell from 137 in 2000-01, to 118 in 2001-02 and 67 in 2002-03. Commenting on this fall the Commissioner said:

"Whilst it is unwise to place too much reliance on a single year's figures, the direction is clearly encouraging."

The report also describes the arrangements for registering relevant interests of Members' staff, Parliamentary journalists and All-Party Parliamentary Groups. Unusually 2 formal complaints about Members' staff were investigated during the past year.

Speaking of his report, Sir Philip Mawer said:

"Publishing this report reflects the commitment of both myself, and the House of Commons, to greater transparency in standards matters, with the result that the electorate will be better placed than ever to judge the effectiveness of the House's standards arrangements. The past year has seen real progress in:

There is more to do, but we are off to a good start."

Note to Editors

The Commissioner will be available on 020 7219 0320 between 4.00pm and 6.00pm on Wednesday, 16 July to answer questions about his report.