MPs debate standards system and Code of Conduct

MPs agreed changes to Standing Orders relating to the election of select committee chairs and on lay members of the Committee on Standards, and agreed changes to the Code of Conduct and Guide to the Rules. 

These changes will come into effect from the beginning of the next Parliament.

• Watch Parliament TV: Standards system in the House of Commons and the Code of Conduct
• Read Commons Hansard: Committee on Standards (Reports)
• Read Votes and Proceedings 17 March 2015, items 6 (1) and 6 (2): Reports from the Committee on Standards - list of decisions made
• Read House of Commons Standing Orders 2013: Standing Order 122B: Election of select committee chairs
• Read House of Commons Standing Orders 2013: Standing Order 149A: Lay members of the Committee on Standards 
• Read Glossary: Standing orders
• Read current Parliamentary material in Topics: Members of Parliament

Related information

The standards system in the House of Commons

The House of Commons Standards Committee appointed three lay members in January 2013. The Committee published the lay members' reflections on their first year in the Committee in 8 April 2014.

As a result, the Committee set up a Standards Review Sub-Committee, chaired by one of the lay members, to conduct an inquiry to examine the standards system of the House, and to consider improvements.

• Read Standards Systems in the House of Commons: Committee on Standards sixth report session 2014-15 (HC 383 2014-15)
• Committee on Standards
• About the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards

Code of Conduct and Guide to the Rules Relating to the Conduct of Members

The House of Commons Code of Conduct sets out the principles and high level rules which should govern MPs' behaviour. It is accompanied by a more detailed Guide to the Rules which sets out the detailed requirements for registration and declaration of interests, and the rules relating to lobbying.

• Read Code of Conduct and Guide to the Rules: Committee on Standards third report session 2014-15 (HC 772 2014-15)
• Reviews of the Code of Conduct and the Guide to the Rules relating to the conduct of Members of Parliament
• Read Code of Conduct and Guide to the Rules (HC 1885 2010-12)

Watching proceedings from the public gallery

UK residents and overseas visitors can watch proceedings in the House of Commons by visiting the public gallery.

• How to attend a debate in the Chamber or in Westminster Hall

This article was produced by the Commons Digital Outreach Team. Follow the @HouseofCommons Twitter for updates on the UK House of Commons Chamber.