Register of Journalists' Interests [as at 30 December 2015]

Introduction

Purpose and Form of the Register 

Pursuant to a Resolution made by the House of Commons on 17 December 1985, holders of photo-identity passes as lobby journalists accredited to the Parliamentary Press Gallery or for parliamentary broadcasting are required to register:

‘Any occupation or employment for which you receive over £670 from the same source in the course of a calendar year, if that occupation or employment is in any way advantaged by the privileged access to Parliament afforded by your pass.’

Administration and Inspection of the Register 

The Register is compiled and maintained by the Office of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards. Anyone whose details are entered on the Register is required to notify that office of any change in their registrable interests within 28 days of such a change arising. An updated edition of the Register is published approximately every 6 weeks when the House is sitting.

Changes to the rules governing the Register are determined by the Committee on Standards in the House of Commons, although where such changes are substantial they are put by the Committee to the House for approval before being implemented.

Complaints 

Complaints, whether from Members, the public or anyone else alleging that a journalist is in breach of the rules governing the Register, should in the first instance be sent to the Registrar of Members’ Financial Interests in the Office of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards.

Where possible the Registrar will seek to resolve the complaint informally.  In more serious cases the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards may undertake a formal investigation and either rectify the matter or refer it to the Committee on Standards.  Under the rectification procedure a late entry may be printed in bold italics in the Register for twelve months from its first appearance.

Information and advice about the Register and the rules governing it 

The Register can be viewed at www.parliament.uk by looking under ‘Registers of Interests’ in the

A-Z Index on the home page there. Should you require any further advice please contact:

Office of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards

House of Commons

London SW1A OAA

Tel: 020 7219 0401

Email: standardscommissioner@parliament.uk

Website: www.parliament.uk/pcs