---

Parliamentary Standards Bill

My Lords, my noble friend makes a very powerful case. Consistency is known as the hobgoblin of little minds. In this case it does not apply at all. I draw a parallel with people who give to charity. Sometimes people who give to charity like to have public approbation for what they are doing. Other people give to charity anonymously because they do not want other charities battering on their door. That is not being inconsistent. I hope that the noble Baroness will think of some way of going further to meet my noble friend’s point. Not least, the IPSA could have a duty to consult the Member’s wishes. It may be thought that there would be a presumption that the Member’s wishes would be respected even though she may not wish that to be final.