New inquiry: Referral of complaints of breach of privilege
9 February 2011
The Procedure Committee has agreed to conduct an inquiry into how matters of privilege are referred to the Committee on Standards and Privileges. The Committee has agreed the following terms of reference:
To inquire into the current procedure for referrals to a committee of investigation of complaints from Members of alleged breaches of privilege; and to make recommendations.
The Committee invites written submissions which should arrive no later than Thursday 31 March 2011.
This inquiry will begin once that into lay membership of the Committee on Standards and Privileges announced in press notice No. 8 has ended but the Committee is aware that some may wish to contribute to both inquiries. The Committee is therefore happy to accept submissions to the privilege referral inquiry at this time. All submissions should be clearly marked with the title of the relevant inquiry.
E-mail submissions are preferred and should be in Word format (not PDF) and sent to proccom@parliament.uk. Postal submissions should be sent to the Clerk, Procedure Committee, Journal Office, House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA. Further information can be obtained from the Clerk at this address or by telephone on 0207 219 3318.
Committees make public much of the evidence they receive during inquiries. If you do not wish your submission to be published, you must clearly say so. If you wish to include private or confidential information in your submission to the Committee, please contact the Clerk on 0207 219 3318 to discuss this.