Appendices to Appendix 1
Appendix 1: The Code of Conduct as approved on
14 May 2002
Prepared pursuant to the Resolution of the House
of 19 July 1995
I. Purpose of the Code
The purpose of the Code of Conduct is to assist Members
in the discharge of their obligations to the House, their constituents
and the public at large.
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The Code applies to Members in all aspects of their
public life. It does not seek to regulate what Members do in their
purely private and personal lives.
II. Public duty
By virtue of the oath, or affirmation, of allegiance
taken by all Members when they are elected to the House, Members
have a duty to be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty
the Queen, her heirs and successors, according to law.
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Members have a duty to uphold the law and to act
on all occasions in accordance with the public trust placed in
them.
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Members have a general duty to act in the interests
of the nation as a whole; and a special duty to their constituents.
III. Personal conduct
Members shall observe the general principles of conduct
identified by the Committee on Standards in Public Life as applying
to holders of public office: [22]
| "Selflessness
Holders of public office should take decisions solely in terms of the public interest. They should not do so in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their family, or their friends.
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| Integrity
Holders of public office should not place themselves under any financial or other obligation to outside individuals or organisations that might influence them in the performance of their official duties.
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| Objectivity
In carrying out public business, including making public appointments, awarding contracts, or recommending individuals for rewards and benefits, holders of public office should make choices on merit.
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| Accountability
Holders of public office are accountable for their decisions and actions to the public and must submit themselves to whatever scrutiny is appropriate to their office.
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| Openness
Holders of public office should be as open as possible about all the decisions and actions that they take. They should give reasons for their decisions and restrict information only when the wider public interest clearly demands.
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| Honesty
Holders of public office have a duty to declare any private interests relating to their public duties and to take steps to resolve any conflicts arising in a way that protects the public interest.
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| Leadership
Holders of public office should promote and support these principles by leadership and example."
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Members shall base their conduct on a consideration of the public
interest, avoid conflict between personal interest and the public
interest and resolve any conflict between the two, at once, and
in favour of the public interest.
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Members shall at all times conduct themselves in a manner which
will tend to maintain and strengthen the public's trust and confidence
in the integrity of Parliament and never undertake any action
which would bring the House of Commons, or its Members generally,
into disrepute.
*
The acceptance by a Member of a bribe to influence his or her
conduct as a Member, including any fee, compensation or reward
in connection with the promotion of, or opposition to, any Bill,
Motion, or other matter submitted, or intended to be submitted
to the House, or to any Committee of the House, is contrary to
the law of Parliament.
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Members shall fulfil conscientiously the requirements of the House
in respect of the registration of interests in the Register of
Members' Interests and shall always draw attention to any relevant
interest in any proceeding of the House or its Committees, or
in any communications with Ministers, Government Departments or
Executive Agencies.
*
In any activities with, or on behalf of, an organisation with
which a Member has a financial relationship, including activities
which may not be a matter of public record such as informal meetings
and functions, he or she must always bear in mind the need to
be open and frank with Ministers, Members and officials.
*
No Member shall act as a paid advocate in any proceeding of the
House.
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No improper use shall be made of any payment or allowance made
to Members for public purposes and the administrative rules which
apply to such payments and allowances must be strictly observed.
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Members must bear in mind that information which they receive
in confidence in the course of their parliamentary duties should
be used only in connection with those duties, and that such information
must never be used for the purpose of financial gain.
22 Cm 2850, p 14. Back
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