ANNEX B
Letter to the Rt Hon Peter Mandelson MP
from the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards
Following your discussion with Roger Willoughby last
week, I am now able to give you a substantive reply to your letter
of 22 December, though I would prefer to reserve my detailed position
in case I have to investigate a complaint about your loan from
Mr Robinson.
The definition of gifts, hospitality and other benefits
which are registrable under category 5 of the Rules for Registration
does include loan concessions. I accept that there is considerable
doubt about the application of the Rules for Registration to transactions
between Members, and I understand that this was why you did not
register the loan at the time.
I think however that it is necessary to bear in mind
the principal purpose of the Register, which is "to provide
information of any pecuniary interest or other material benefit
which a Member receives which might reasonably be thought by others
to influence his or her actions, speeches or votes in Parliament,
or actions taken in his or her capacity as a Member of Parliament",
and the general principle stated in the Rules that "If there
is any doubt (a benefit) should be registered". My advice
is that it would therefore be your wisest course to register the
loan now. If you could supply the Registrar with the necessary
form of words before the deadline of 31 January, he will ensure
that your entry is included in the annual published Register which
will appear next month.
Even though my term of office does not officially
begin until 16 February, I will be perfectly happy to discuss
this or any other matter with you on the telephone or by meeting
if this would be helpful.
21 January 1999
| 
