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Early day motion tabled by primary sponsor John Bercow (Conservative), on Monday, 7 July 1997, in the House of Commons. It is signed by 53 members in total.

CONDUCT OF LORD SIMON AND SALE OF BP SHARES

That this House regrets that Lord Simon, the Minister for Trade and Competitiveness in Europe has failed to sell his ??2 million shareholding in BP and has failed to register this interest in the Lords Register; expresses grave concern that as recently as 3rd July the President of the Board of Trade told the House she did not know of the Minister's financial interests; finds unconvincing the Government's assurance that Lord Simon is not involved in any Treasury or DTI business which poses an actual or apparent conflict of interest with his shareholding; is worried how strictly the rules were enforced when the President of the Board of Trade was unaware of the need to enforce them; and calls for the resignation of the Minister in order to avoid any future problems in registering interests and to avoid any conflicts between them.

Amendments

The Early day motion has received an amendment.

CONDUCT OF LORD SIMON AND SALE OF BP SHARES (210A1)
The Early day motion has received an amendment sponsored by Ivor Caplin (primary, Labour) and tabled on Monday, 7 July 1997. It has been signed by 127 members in total.
leave out from 'House' to end and add 'notes its great pleasure that Lord Simon, businessman of the year in 1996, joined the new Government after many successful years with one of Britain's major companies, BP, that he has taken all the relevant steps to ensure that no conflict of interest arises in his ministerial role, including resigning as Chairman and a Director of BP, that he is not involved in any government business which covers BP activity, nor does he receive any papers that have a bearing on BP, that he has complied fully with the requirements of the Questions of Procedure for Ministers and the Register of Lords' Interests, the guidance for which does not require listing all shareholdings, that the point of the Register is to ensure that any potential interest is in the public domain, that his shareholding in BP is a matter of public records, and that the action of the Opposition suggests that what they really object to is that a senior, successful and respected businessman has become a Labour Minister.'.

Secondary information

Type
Early day motion
Reference
210 
210A1 
Session
1997-98
Subjects
Peers Shares British Petroleum
Link
View this Early day motion on www.parliament.uk