Commissioner for Standards publishes annual report

• Annual report 2008-09: Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards (PDF)
• Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards (background, responsibilities, publications)

The report covers the work of the Commissioner during the year, including:

• providing information and advice
• overseeing the Registers of Interests
• advising the Committee on Standards and Privileges
• and dealing with complaints

During the year April 2008-March 2009, the Commissioner completed inquiries into 46 complaints against 40 Members of Parliament - an average of nearly one complaint completed each week. The Commissioner upheld in whole or in part 30 of the 46 complaints.

In his introduction Mr Lyon refers to the impact on Parliament of the current expenses crisis. He writes:

"The expenses crisis has drawn in many (but certainly not all) Members and has led to widespread public distrust in Members of Parliament as a group, and in our parliamentary institutions as a whole.

"I hope that out of recent events will come a new and stronger compact between Members of Parliament and those they serve. This needs to be based on a mutual understanding of the work the public want their Members of Parliament to do on their behalf, and the support they need to do it, and on an understanding by Members of the implications of the trust people must place in them. Institutions and structures will have their place in sealing that compact. But ultimately it will be for each Member of Parliament to rebuild the trust that has been lost."