7 Review and forward look
7.1 When I arrived on 1 January 2008 to take
up my role as Standards Commissioner, I inherited a standards
framework well built on a solid foundation, a set of robust procedures
for dealing with complaints, good working relationships with Members
and others, and a dedicated and helpful team of staff. For this
I pay tribute to my immediate predecessor Sir Philip Mawer, and
to those who went before him.
7.2 Any standards framework must be robust enough
to be able to adapt to meet the changing demands upon it. My
short period as Commissioner has already seen change in the form
of an important extension to the Register of Members' Interests,
so that Members will in future register family members whom they
employ who are paid from the parliamentary allowances. I am sure
that further changes will arise in 2008-09.
7.3 Another important development in 2007-08
was the review of Members' allowances begun by the Members Estimate
Committee in the early months of 2008, which drew attention both
to the allowances regime, and because some of the Commissioner's
current inquiries related to those allowances, to the work of
the Commissioner. It is for the House itself to determine any
future arrangements for Members' allowances and the rules which
govern those arrangements. My responsibility will be to ensure
that issues relating to Members' conduct in respect of any revised
arrangements, as with those in the past, are investigated fairly
with the right degree of thoroughness, and with equity and consistency.
7.4 I expect that if the House agrees, the coming
year is likely to see the introduction of the new arrangements
for streamlining the reporting of Members' interests for inclusion
in the Register of Members' Interests while simultaneously meeting
the statutory requirements of the Electoral Commission. My office
will work closely with the Electoral Commission and others to
put such new arrangements into effect.
7.5 I therefore look forward to serving the House
in the coming year and to helping to ensure that the standards
system for Members meets their needs and the needs of those whom
they serve.
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