FIRST REPORT OF SESSION
2009-10
FROM THE HOUSE COMMITTEE
SSRB REVIEW OF FINANCIAL SUPPORT
FOR MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF LORDS
- 1. The House Committee initiated the review by the SSRB
of the issues surrounding financial support for members of the
House of Lords in recognition of the need for change and for a
system which provided "clarity and transparency, accountability
and public acceptability." The SSRB's report was published
on 26 November.
- 2. We thank the SSRB for their detailed consideration
of the complex issues involved. We particularly welcome the recognition
by the SSRB of the value of the work done by the House and of
the commitment of individual members to contribute to public life
through their parliamentary work.
- 3. We accept the conclusion of the SSRB that the time
has now come for a new system which addresses concerns with the
present arrangements and protects and enhances the reputation
of the House and its Members.
- 4. We recommend that the House accepts the architecture
and principles of the proposed new system. We recommend that the
House Committee now works to prepare resolutions to implement
the proposals on a timescale which allows a new system to be operational
from the start of the new Parliament.
- 5. Prior to implementation, we recommend that the views
of members should be taken into account and inform the final resolutions
to be put before the House. The SSRB's report asks the House to
consider a number of issues detailed by the review and makes 26
specific recommendations for action. In line with our proposals
in paragraph 4 above, we would propose to set up an ad hoc group
to consider and consult on issues in the report and advise on
their implementation. The membership of the ad hoc group would
comprise backbenchers nominated by the party leaders and convenor.
The group would report to the House Committee.
- 6. We further propose that the new system and its consequences
for the House be carefully monitored after implementation. The
House Committee should conduct such monitoring and report on the
effects of implementation of the new system after a year of operation.
- 7. We invite the House to agree:
- the architecture and principles of the new system
proposed by the SSRB (para. 4)
- that the House Committee now works to prepare resolutions
to implement the proposals on a timescale which allows a new system
to be operational from the start of the new Parliament (para.
4)
- that an ad hoc group of members should be established
(para. 5)
- that the House Committee should monitor and report
on the effects of implementation of the new system after a year
of operation (para. 6)
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