Briefing
Members on Changes
2.3 Following the extensive programme of briefings
we arranged for Members following the 2005 election - on which
I reported last year[11]
- we have not had cause to mount a similar exercise more recently.
However, the Registrar of Members' Interests has continued to
offer briefing to each new Member returned at a by-election and
the Assistant Registrar to brief newly arrived staff of Members
at the induction sessions regularly put on for them by the House.
2.4 Once the review of the Guide to the Rules has
been completed, however, (see paragraph 1.1-1.5 above) and the
House has decided whether to proceed with implementation of section
59 of the Electoral Administration Act 2006, there will be a need
to issue extensive guidance to Members on the implications for
them of the changes. A similar challenge, in terms of briefing
Members and others, will arise in connection with any changes
in the regulatory regime applying to All-Party Groups (see paragraphs
1.10-1.11 above). The Registrar, Assistant Registrar, Executive
Assistant and I will be working on these matters in the autumn
of 2007, in order to ensure that, once the House's decisions are
known, their implementation, including the preparation of Registers
drawn up on the new basis, can proceed as quickly and smoothly
as possible. We shall also review, and update in the light of
those decisions, the written material in the guidance folders
we have previously distributed to Members and their offices.
11 
