Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards (Hansard, 12 June 2002)

§ Mr. Kirkwood

The House's Internal Review Service (IRS) has now reported to the Commission. The principal findings arethat the Parliamentary Commissioner's present time commitment of three days a week should he sufficient to cope with current and expected future need; that the temporary office support post should be made permanent; that there should be a new post of investigative support officer to assist the Commissioner with detailed day-to-day work. This would also enable the Registrar of Members' Interests to concentrate on, and help the Commissioner with, the preventive, educational and advice aspects of the work.

At its last meeting the Commission discussed the report and its findings with the chairman of the Committee on Standards and Privileges and with the Parliamentary Commissioner, who expressed themselves content with the additional resources proposed. Following that meeting, copies of the report were given to members of the Committee on Standards and Privileges. They, too, indicated that they were content with what was proposed. The Commission has therefore directed that the report's recommendations should be implemented.

Following implementation, the staff of the Commissioner's office will be: the Commissioner, the registrar, the assistant registrar, the investigative support officer, the Commissioner's personal assistant, and a general office assistant.

The report recommends that the IRS should conduct a verification review in 12 months' time. The Commission will take any action necessary as a result of that review, but in any event remains committed to providing whatever resources, both in terms of staff and days worked, that may be required.

I am placing a copy of the review manager's report in the Library and on the parliamentary website at www.parliament.uk. I am also arranging for a copy to be sent to the Committee on Standards in Public Life.