29/06/2010
Proposed changes to categories of interests that MSPs are required to register, such as remuneration, sponsorship and gifts, have been published today in a consultation by the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee.
The consultation suggests changing the law to combine certain categories and remove overlaps between others. The consultation also proposes that election expenses should no longer be registered with the Parliament as there is a separate monitoring regime administered by the Electoral Commission.
MSPs will still be required by law to register relevant interests. Failure to do so is a criminal offence and also breaches the Parliament’s Code of Conduct.
Committee Convener Gil Paterson MSP said: “The Scottish Parliament was established to be as transparent and open as possible. Ensuring all relevant MSP interests are presented in an accessible format and published is a big part of that.
“The proposed changes are intended to simplify the system and make it clearer for the public seeking to hold politicians to account for their actions.
“We are interested in hearing the views of others on this important issue - our consultation is open to any member of the public wishing to contribute as well as MSPs.”
Background
Each MSP’s register of interests is accessible via the Parliament’s website and in hard copy at the Parliament.
The consultation is available in full on the SPPA Committee’s web page. Responses to the consultation are invited by 14 September 2010.
MSPs are required to register interests under the Interests of Members of the Scottish Parliament Act 2006. The consultation report suggests amendments to the Schedule of this Act.
Having considered consultation responses the Committee will publish a final report in the Autumn. If proposed changes in that report are agreed by Parliament as a whole, the Act would be amended and these changes would then be reflected in Section 2 of the Code of Conduct for MSPs.
The intention is to bring proposed changes into effect at the start of the next Parliamentary session, in May 2011.
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