DECLARATION OF FINANCIAL INTERESTS BY MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT BILL (Hansard, 13 June 1973)

§ Mr. Thomas Cox (Wandsworth, Central)

I beg to move, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to provide for the public registration of the financial interests of Members of Parliament. I first declare my interest. I am a sponsored member of the EEPTU.

Every hon. Member is no doubt aware of the increasing cynicism of the general public towards Parliament, and many Members must have had people say to them, "You are only in it for your own ends." I certainly do not accept that. However, recent events which have come to light and which involve the business interests of a Member of this House, and Members' associations with companies, be it as members of the board, or as business advisers or as public relations consultants, many of which are unknown to the House and to their constituents, undoubtedly leave great disquiet in the public's mind when they become known. Such interests as these are increasingly being held by hon. Members.

That strengthens the view which is often expressed about whether a Member should be allowed to hold such business interests while he is a Member. My view is that that is a matter which the Member must resolve himself. But if a Member has a business interest, I believe that he or she should be required to declare it and that it is no longer sufficient for any Member, when speaking in a debate in which he has a direct business interest, to declare it, for such are the changes which have taken place in business enterprises that a public relations consultant or a business adviser could well have more influence than a director 1495 of a board, yet no one need know that he held such a position.

To emphasise the point, many hon. Members are deeply concerned about the actions of certain Members who, on Friday afternoons, deliberately object to Private Members' Bills even when they are widely supported in the House and in the country. Often we do not know who the objectors are or—and this is of greater importance—what their motives may be in objecting. Do they object from a personally held point of view or on behalf of an outside interest? No one can say. The House should now, I believe, seek to tackle this lack of openness. Let us and the people of this country know by whom a Member, if employed, is employed. If he wishes to speak, to ask questions, or to contact a Minister, let it be done openly. Let us know when a Member is acting in a paid financial capacity and for whom he is acting. This would benefit a Member who held a position, for if his declaration of an interest were known to the House he could take a much greater part in debate on subjects in which he is interested and his knowledge of those subjects could prove valuable in such a debate.

Under the terms of my Bill, every Member holding such an interest would be required to declare it, and it would be registered, along with the name of the company employing the Member and the amount of his remuneration that is paid. There would be a yearly de-registration of such interests. The register could be deposited at Somerset House, where it would be open to public inspection, which is essential, for without this requirement the composition of a register would be meaningless. I am convinced that these proposals, if accepted, would be warmly welcomed by the people of this country. Also the standing of Parliament would be enhanced by them, and that in itself should be welcomed by all Members.

I am aware that Members on both sides of the Chamber have business connections. The register would apply to all Members irrespective of party and, therefore, there would be no political advantage for any party.

No doubt my Bill will be criticised. It may be claimed that the introduction of such a register would present many 1496 problems, but often the rôle of Parliament is to introduce highly complex legislation and, if there is a willingness to face this matter sensibly and to seek to produce an accepted formula, it can be done. We must not allow the argument of difficulty to be taken as an excuse for doing nothing.

It may be asked why, if such a declaration is to be made by Members of Parliament, a similar declaration should not be made by members of local authorities. I agree with that. Such a requirement should I think have been introduced long ago.

Some hon. Members seek to make outright objection to these proposals on the ground that they are an infringement of a Member's personal and private affairs. I totally reject that argument. The very position we hold and the opportunities that may exist for Members involved in business, of whatever kind, demand that such an involvement is known and can be openly checked.

At a time when Parliament under successive Governments has sought to introduce control on the salaries of millions of workers, what right have Members to attempt to cloak in secrecy the interests and incomes they enjoy other than those they enjoy by virtue of being Members of this House? Those interests and incomes often arise because they are Members of Parliament. Membership of this House demands certain standards, and if Members object to such a register they should seriously consider their position as Members, for I do not believe that the people of this country will accept any attempt to hinder the proposals contained in the Bill.