Purpose and Form of the Register

In accordance with Resolutions made by the House of Commons on 17 December 1985 and 28 June 1993, holders of photo-identity passes as Members secretaries or research assistants are in essence required to register:

1.  Any occupation or employment for which they receive over £300 from the same source in the course of a calendar year, if that occupation or employment is in any way advantaged by the privileged access to Parliament afforded by their pass.

2.  Any gift (eg: jewellery) or benefit (eg: hospitality, services or facilities) they receive in the course of a calendar year, if the value of the gift or benefit exceeds £300 and if it in any way relates to or arises from their work in Parliament.

Regarding the form of the Register, in Section 1 entries are listed alphabetically according to the staff members surname. Section 2 contains exactly the same information but entries are listed according to the sponsoring Members name.

Administration and Inspection of the Register

The Register is compiled and maintained by the Office of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards (tel: 020 7219 0401). Anyone whose details are entered on the Register is required to notify that office of any change in their registrable interests within 28 days of such a change arising.

The Register is usually updated every 4-6 weeks (except during months when the House is not sitting). It is not printed by The Stationery Office and is not available in bookshops, but a copy of the most recent edition is put:

• on the internet at www.parliament.uk (under 'Register of Interests' in the index on the home page)
• in hard copy form for public inspection in the Committee Office of the House of Commons (please call 020 7219 4300 to make an appointment)

Changes to the rules governing the Register are determined by the Committee on Standards and Privileges, although where such changes are substantial they are put by the Committee to the House for approval before being implemented.

Complaints

Any suggestion that the requirement to register has not been met in a particular case should be made in writing to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards, House of Commons, London SW1A OAA.

In minor cases of infringement, the Commissioner may, at his discretion, apply the rectification procedure. Under this, a late entry is printed in bold italics in the Register for 12 months from its first appearing. More major cases may be the subject of formal investigation and will be reported to the Committee on Standards and Privileges.