HC Deb 10 July 1979 vol 970 cc110-1W
Mr. Rooker

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many completed declarations of Members' interests have been returned to the Registrar since this Parliament began.

Mr. St. John-Stevas

As I informed the House on 9 July in answer to a question from the hon. Member for Fife, Central (Mr. Hamilton), I understand from the Registrar of Members' Interests that about 600 hon. Members have so far declared their interests.

Mr. Frank Allaun

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if a new register of Hon. Members' interests is to be published, including those of new hon. Members; and if the interests of hon. Members' wives will be included.

Mr. St. John-Stevas

The publication of the register will be a matter for the new Select Committee on Members' Interests. In accordance with the resolution of the House on 12 June 1975 the interests of Members' wives have to be declared only in so far as it is necessary to register the name of companies or other bodies in which the Member has, to his knowledge, either himself or with or on behalf of his spouse or infant children, a beneficial interest in shareholdings of a nominal value greater than one-hundreth of the issued share capital.