Bribery

HC Deb 22 December 1997 vol 303 cc545-6W

30. Mr. Fizpatrick

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to make bribery of hon. Members an offence. [20188]

Mr. Mike O'Brien

The Government are committed to tackling all forms of corruption, including the bribery of hon. Members. My right hon. Friend expects to make a statement on the reform of the law in this area early next year, taking account of the results of the consultation exercise which he launched in June and of proposals which the Law Commission are preparing and which are awaited. He will also take account of any further recommendations which the Committee on Standards in Public Life might make and of the views of the Joint Committee on Parliamentary Privilege.