Code of Conduct for Members review welcomed
21 January 2016
The Committee on Standards welcomes the review of the Code of Conduct for Members and Guide to the Rules to be conducted by the Parliamentary Commissioner and sets out plans for its own work in this area
Chair's comment
The Chair of the Committee, Kevin Barron said:
"The Parliamentary Commissioner has today launched a thorough review of the Code of Conduct for Members and of the Guide to the Rules. My Committee very much welcomes the review and we hope that as many people as possible respond to the consultation.
The review of the Code is an event which happens once a Parliament but this is the first time that the Code and Guide to the Rules have been reviewed together. We are keen to learn what changes might be made to ensure that the Code clearly reflects the standards that the public have the right to expect from their MPs."
Background
The Parliamentary Commissioner is independent but alongside her work the Committee on Standards intends to take evidence in public that can inform both her thinking and its own. The review process is likely to run throughout this year, in several stages:
- The first consultation concentrates on the larger questions about the Code
- The Commissioner holds a second consultation on detailed changes to the rules
- Finally, the Commissioner makes her recommendations to the Committee on Standards, which will consult on those changes before reporting to the House for its decision on a refreshed and updated Code and Rules
The Committee on Standards aims to ensure an open and informed discussion during each of these three stages, starting with oral evidence to consider whether the Code is fit for purpose and what can be learned from other similar professional codes, for politicians or for others. Further details will be announced shortly. There will also be opportunities to submit written evidence to the Committee at a later stage.
The deadline for responses was Monday 14 March 2016.