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Proceeding contribution from Lord Harper (Conservative) in the House of Commons on Thursday, 15 December 2011. It occurred during Backbench debate on Parliamentary Standards Act 2009.


Parliamentary Standards Act 2009

I have said that I will take my hon. Friend's intervention if I am allowed to finish my point. We cannot have an independent regulator and expenses system, and then say that if it does not follow the views and advice that we give it, we will legislate to implement them. Those things are not compatible. In paragraph 205 of the report, the Committee states:"““We urge the Government and Parliament to have the courage to reform the system of payments…by implementing our recommendations.””" From the way I read that—I am happy to be put straight by hon. Members—it seems that there is a conflict between the recommendations in the report and an independent system. It says to IPSA, ““If you don't do them, we will legislate to do them anyway,”” which trespasses on the independent system.


Secondary information

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
537 c966 
Session
2010-12
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
Subjects
Accountability Cost effectiveness Costs Allowances Pay Members Standards Regulation Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority Committee on Members' Expenses
Legislation
Parliamentary Standards Act 2009
Link
View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk