SIXTH REPORT
The Committee on Standards and Privileges has
agreed to the following Report:—
COMPLAINTS AGAINST MR ROY BEGGS
1. We have considered a memorandum by the Parliamentary
Commissioner for Standards relating to the complaints by Mr J
Anderson of Larne, County Antrim, Mr D Gordon of Glengormley,
County Antrim, and Mr D Morrison of Belfast, against Mr Roy Beggs,
Member for Antrim East. The Commissioner's memorandum is appended
to this Report.
2. We agree with the Commissioner in upholding the
complaints that Mr Beggs —
(i) failed to register
under Category 8 (Land and property) his interest in the landfill
site at Ballyrickard Road, Larne;
(ii) failed to declare his interest in the site
when tabling written questions and intervening in a debate; and
(iii) failed to register under Category 8 (Land
and property) his interest in the business premises at Inver Road,
Larne.
3. We agree with the Commissioner in not upholding
the complaint relating to non-registration of income from the
landfill site.
4. Mr Beggs's contribution to the debate on the Finance
Bill was brief. He was advocating the strict supervision of landfill
sites. He should have made a declaration even though he was not
seeking directly to advance his own interests.
5. Mr Beggs told the the Commissioner that —
If I have acted incorrectly then I will be guided
as to how I can put things right and accept the consequences.
6. Mr Beggs has breached the rules of the House on
the registration and declaration of interests. He should now rectify
his entry in the Register. We recommend that he should make an
apology to the House by means of a personal statement.
7. We commend Mr Beggs for the helpful way in which
he co-operated in full with the Commissioner. As a result this
complaint has been disposed of within two months.
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