Decisions 23 June 2008

Present:

The Speaker, in the Chair
Sir Stuart Bell
Nick Harvey
Leader of the House
Mr David Maclean
Mrs Theresa May

1. FREEDOM OF INFORMATION (Commission / MEC)

The Committee concluded that it might not be possible to release all the detailed allowances information on the proposed provisional date of Thursday 23 October. The Committee deferred a decision on when to release high level figures for 2007-08 until a firm publication date for detailed information was established. The Committee agreed that detailed information should be published on the internet, on the basis of a high-level table, linked to copies of redacted claims and receipts. The Committee agreed that the Stationery Office should be employed to scan documents and carry out initial editing work, subject to House staff doing the final editing. The Committee agreed that media handling of the autumn release should be undertaken along the same lines of previous years' releases but that extra resources should be deployed to take account of media interest in the release.

The Committee further agreed that Members should be sent letters informing them of the format and content of the files which would be released in the autumn publication, and of the provisional timetable for publication.

2. REVIEW OF ALLOWANCES (MEC)

The Committee agreed its Report on the Review of Members' Allowances, for publication on Wednesday 25 June.

3. CHILDCARE FACILITIES

The Commission agreed that the Department of Resources should prepare a paper on childcare vouchers, for consideration at a future meeting.

4. AUTUMN MEETING DATES

The Commission agreed to meet on Mondays 17 November and 15 December.

5. NEXT MEETING

It was agreed that the Commission/MEC would meet on Monday 21 July at 5pm in Speaker's House.