COMMONS AMENDMENT (Hansard, 24 July 2000)

My Lords, I beg to move that the House do agree with the Commons in their Amendment No. 199.

I am content to take noble Lords through each of the amendments contained in this large group. However, many of them are technical. It may be more helpful to the House if I explain the main purpose of the amendments. During the Committee stage, the noble Lord, Lord Filkin, drew our attention to the fact that the scope and arrangements for the standards board had changed significantly since the publication of the draft Bill. Because of these changes, the Government believed that it would be helpful to provide a broad purpose to guide and inform the way in which the board performs its various functions. Therefore, Amendment No. 199 introduces a general duty to, have regard to the need to promote and maintain high standards of conduct by members and co-opted members of relevant authorities". Amendment No. 204 and others in this group respond to concerns raised by the noble Lord, Lord Dixon-Smith, and put beyond doubt the ESO's powers to investigate former members of relevant authorities. Similar provision has also been made for Wales. We picked up another of the points made by the noble Lord, Lord Dixon-Smith, during Report. Amendment No. 206 makes clear that if the standards board considers an allegation should not be investigated it should take reasonable steps to inform in writing the person who made the allegation of the decision and the reasons for it. Amendment No. 253 makes similar provision for Wales. We have also made various amendments to Schedule 3 dealing with the status and general powers of the standards board.

I again thank noble Lords who have contributed from their knowledge to make the Bill more effective. I commend the amendment to the House.

Moved, That the House do agree with the Commons in their Amendment No. 199.—(Baroness Farrington of Ribbleton.) On Question, Motion agreed to.