6 Conclusion and forward look
6.1 In the coming months, I aim to complete my consideration
of the Guide to the Rules relating to the conduct of Members and
submit to the Committee on Standards and Privileges a revised
Guide taking account of the consultation responses I have received.
This has been a major piece of work involving the Registrar of
Members' Financial Interests and others in my office. I hope that
the Committee and the House will welcome the opportunity it provides
to produce a shorter, clearer and easier to implement set of rules
relating to the registration and declaration of Members' interests,
and on lobbying, and that it will also be of value to the wider
public.
6.2 I am ready to assist the House as necessary in
other possible developments affecting the work of my office. In
particular, it is possible that my office will be involved in
the implementation of any proposals approved by Parliament for
the recall of Members of Parliament who are found to have committed
serious wrongdoing. I will also be ready to assist the Committee
and the House on any follow up to the work of the joint working
group on the establishment and registration of All Party Parliamentary
Groups.
6.3 I will continue to take opportunities to balance
my investigatory work with more preventative work, including presentations,
explanations and advice on the Code of Conduct and the Guide to
the Rules. I hope that the briefings we will continue to offer
Members and their staff, particularly on registration, will help
to prevent breaches of the rules which, although they may in themselves
be shown to be comparatively minor, can nevertheless damage the
reputation of individual Members and the overall perception of
standards in the House. Once any changes to the Guide to the Rules
have been agreed by the House, there will be a renewed opportunity
to brief Members and their staff on the requirements and on the
importance of ensuring that the rules are met.
6.4 As in any year, my office will continue to produce
the Register of Members' Financial Interests and the other three
registers at regular intervals, as well as providing individual
advice to Members on their own entries. I will also continue to
respond to individual allegations against Members and to conduct
any inquires which are necessary.
6.5 I will be succeeded at the end of the calendar
year by a new Commissioner. I and my office will be preparing
in the latter part of the calendar year to welcome and to brief
the new Commissioner. This person will be the fifth Commissioner
appointed to a role which I know to be an essential part of the
structures which underpin the most important democratic institution
in our country, the House of Commons. I will leave this office
at the end of this calendar year very grateful to the House for
the opportunity to serve it and the wider public in this important
role.
26 June 2012 John Lyon CB
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