Debate on a motion to aprove the Standards and Privileges Select Committee ninth report of session 2010-11 (HC 654) and to suspend the entitlement to a Parliamentary Photopass to Rt Hon Stephen Byers (2 years), Rt Hon Geoff Hoon (5 years) and Rt Hon Richard Caborn (6 months). Agreed on question.

Debate on a motion to aprove the Standards and Privileges Select Committee ninth report of session 2010-11 (HC 654) and to suspend the entitlement to a Parliamentary Photopass to Rt Hon Stephen Byers (2 years), Rt Hon Geoff Hoon (5 years) and Rt Hon Richard Caborn (6 months). Agreed on...

Before I turn to the three former Members who are the subject of the motion, I wish to make a few remarks about the behaviour of the people who duped them. They would no doubt argue that they have served the public interest, but they were also taking advantage of...

Before I turn to the three former Members who are the subject of the motion, I wish to make a few remarks about the behaviour of the people who duped them. They would no doubt argue that they have served the public interest, but they were also taking advantage of...

The right hon. Member for Rother Valley (Mr Barron) has clearly set out the basis for the complaints, the commissioner's findings of fact and the Committee's recommendations. These debates are never easy. The House can take no pleasure in imposing sanctions on Members and former Members who have breached the...

The right hon. Member for Rother Valley (Mr Barron) has clearly set out the basis for the complaints, the commissioner's findings of fact and the Committee's recommendations. These debates are never easy. The House can take no pleasure in imposing sanctions on Members and former Members who have breached the...

I echo the thanks given to the Select Committee on Standards and Privileges and to the commissioner for their work on investigating these matters. These were very difficult issues to get to grips with. As my right hon. Friend the Member for Rother Valley (Mr Barron) has said, they have...

I echo the thanks given to the Select Committee on Standards and Privileges and to the commissioner for their work on investigating these matters. These were very difficult issues to get to grips with. As my right hon. Friend the Member for Rother Valley (Mr Barron) has said, they have...

Let me say to my right hon. Friend the Member for Rother Valley (Mr Barron) that I welcome all aspects of his Committee's report apart from one, to which I will refer in a moment. As the Deputy Leader of House has said, it is never easy for the House...

Let me say to my right hon. Friend the Member for Rother Valley (Mr Barron) that I welcome all aspects of his Committee's report apart from one, to which I will refer in a moment. As the Deputy Leader of House has said, it is never easy for the House...

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the Secretary of State for Transport, Lord Adonis, has been informed of any payments made by the National Express Group plc, its subsidiaries or representatives to Mr Stephen Byers; and, if so, at what date he was informed of any such payments.

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the Secretary of State for Transport, Lord Adonis, has been informed of any payments made by the National Express Group plc, its subsidiaries or representatives to Mr Stephen Byers; and, if so, at what date he was informed of any such payments.

To ask Her Majesty's Government on what occasions the Secretary of State for Transport, Lord Adonis, (a) met, or (b) spoke to, (1) Mr Stephen Byers, (2) representatives of the National Express Group plc or its subsidiaries, and (3) Mr Stephen Byers and representatives of National Express Group plc or...

To ask Her Majesty's Government on what occasions the Secretary of State for Transport, Lord Adonis, (a) met, or (b) spoke to, (1) Mr Stephen Byers, (2) representatives of the National Express Group plc or its subsidiaries, and (3) Mr Stephen Byers and representatives of National Express Group plc or...

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether Mr Stephen Byers has spoken to the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, Lord Mandelson, about food labelling regulations; and, if so, what was (a) the date on which the contact took place, and (b) the nature of the contact.

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether Mr Stephen Byers has spoken to the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, Lord Mandelson, about food labelling regulations; and, if so, what was (a) the date on which the contact took place, and (b) the nature of the contact.

Statement on paid advocacy and lobbying.

Statement on paid advocacy and lobbying.

My Lords, it would be hard to argue for one moment that the noble Lord, Lord Adonis, was responsible for some of the things that are alleged in the Sunday Times report. However, I strongly support the argument put by my noble friend Lord Tyler that there is an absolute...

My Lords, it would be hard to argue for one moment that the noble Lord, Lord Adonis, was responsible for some of the things that are alleged in the Sunday Times report. However, I strongly support the argument put by my noble friend Lord Tyler that there is an absolute...

I would respond to the hon. Lady's question in two ways. First, I do not want to have to reiterate to her all the action that we have already taken to toughen up the system and to make sure that it is transparent, that there are clear rules and that...

I would respond to the hon. Lady's question in two ways. First, I do not want to have to reiterate to her all the action that we have already taken to toughen up the system and to make sure that it is transparent, that there are clear rules and that...

I thank the Leader of the House for advance sight of her statement. However, I think it very unlikely that it would have been made today had it not been for the revelations in the press. The depressing fact is that the House of Commons always has to react to...

I thank the Leader of the House for advance sight of her statement. However, I think it very unlikely that it would have been made today had it not been for the revelations in the press. The depressing fact is that the House of Commons always has to react to...

The Member in question is not the first man to indulge in boastful fantasies while talking to a young woman, but should not this shameful episode convince the House of the need to follow the fine example of the Public Administration Committee, which united to make an all-party, tough recommendation...

The Member in question is not the first man to indulge in boastful fantasies while talking to a young woman, but should not this shameful episode convince the House of the need to follow the fine example of the Public Administration Committee, which united to make an all-party, tough recommendation...

But on what terms are briefings given to former Secretaries of State about future Government policy? An example would be briefings given by the Ministry of Defence to the former Secretary of State for Defence. It cannot be within the terms of such briefings that they are available for use...

But on what terms are briefings given to former Secretaries of State about future Government policy? An example would be briefings given by the Ministry of Defence to the former Secretary of State for Defence. It cannot be within the terms of such briefings that they are available for use...

The Digital Economy Bill is of great concern not just to lobbyists, but to consumers and providers of digital services. We will look for an opportunity to bring it back to the House for debate. There is no intention to rush it through, and certainly no intention to serve the...

The Digital Economy Bill is of great concern not just to lobbyists, but to consumers and providers of digital services. We will look for an opportunity to bring it back to the House for debate. There is no intention to rush it through, and certainly no intention to serve the...

The noble Lord Whitty recently attacked the influence of lobbying companies representing producer interests in securing important amendments to the Digital Economy Bill. Given that, would it not be an affront to our democracy if that Bill, which has been so heavily influenced by lobbyists, were to be rushed through...

The noble Lord Whitty recently attacked the influence of lobbying companies representing producer interests in securing important amendments to the Digital Economy Bill. Given that, would it not be an affront to our democracy if that Bill, which has been so heavily influenced by lobbyists, were to be rushed through...

The Secretary of State for Transport has answered questions on precisely that issue in the House of Lords today. The hon. Gentleman will know that the foremost responsibility of a Minister is to Parliament. Ministers are bound not to mislead Parliament. The Secretary of State for Transport has answered questions...

The Secretary of State for Transport has answered questions on precisely that issue in the House of Lords today. The hon. Gentleman will know that the foremost responsibility of a Minister is to Parliament. Ministers are bound not to mislead Parliament. The Secretary of State for Transport has answered questions...

In her statement the Leader of the House said that partially to avoid "any inappropriate or undue influence . . . details of Ministers' meetings with outside interest groups and individuals" are published. Given that we are told, and we see on the television, that Charlie Whelan has regular access...

In her statement the Leader of the House said that partially to avoid "any inappropriate or undue influence . . . details of Ministers' meetings with outside interest groups and individuals" are published. Given that we are told, and we see on the television, that Charlie Whelan has regular access...