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This guide updates and expands our earlier guide on this topic, originally published in July 2005.

All staff who hold a Parliamentary pass must complete an entry on the Register of Staff Members’ Interests. More detailed, specific information is below the guidance from the Office of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards, but a useful rule of thumb when considering whether to make an entry is to:

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 member's surname. Section 2 contains exactly the same information but entries are listed according to the sponsoring Member's 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.

Since the overhaul of the Parliamentary Pass colour-coding last year most Special Advisors are issued with the wonderfully metrosexual pink passes that identify the holder as a civil servant. However, there are some instances where Special Advisors also have duties in the Parliamentary office of their Cabinet Minister and hold a secretary/research assistant/other pass. In these circumstances you must register the name of the Cabinet Minister who employs you and the name of the Department that you work for.

If you are an elected Councillor and receive either an allowance or expenses for your work, then these must be declared on the Register under “occupations.” Similarly, if you have a Parliamentary Pass but also receive remuneration from a political party, then you must declare this on the Register under the same heading.

If you are in receipt of a non-educational bursary that exceeds the £300 limit, this must be declared on the Register.

Be sensible. Whilst a whopping bursary from a large brewery company should obviously be declared, nobody is seriously going to think that your part-time bar work on Saturdays is going to be in danger of tempting you to exert a pernicious influence on your employer or the democratic process. If in doubt, however, err on the side of caution or call the Parliamentary Commissioner’s Office to ask for advice (number below).

ALL income from a single source that exceeds £300 in total, even if received over a period of time, must be added to your Register entry.

For more information, contact the Office of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards: 020 7219 0401

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