§ Mr. John GreenwayTo ask the Prime Minister when he expects to receive the first report of the Committee on Standards in Public Life; and if he will make a statement. [24306]
§ The Prime MinisterThe first report of the Committee on Standards in Public Life, under the chairmanship of Lord Nolan, is being published today as Command Paper 2850. I should like to express my thanks to Lord Nolan and his colleagues for the way in which they have discharged the initial part of the remit which I announced to the House in October. It is welcome that they have reached unanimous recommendations based on open proceedings, and having taken oral and written evidence from a wide cross-section of opinion. The oral evidence they have taken is included in volume II of the report, and written submissions are to be made available at the Public Record Office.
Lord Nolan has arranged to send a copy of his Committee's report to every Member of the House.
I believe it is important to maintain the highest possible standards and confidence in public life. I therefore welcome the work the committee has done.
I accept the broad thrust of the committee's recommendations in so far as they are addressed to the Government. We shall give the report the close study it deserves and then make a detailed response.
The recommendations which are addressed to this House are, of course, a matter for the House itself to consider, and my right hon. Friend the Leader of the House will arrange an early opportunity for debate.