Parliamentary Standards Bill

The Secretary of State may remember that on 18 June, only 11 days ago, I asked the Leader of the House—the reasons for whose absence we obviously fully recognise and accept—to""confirm that, while the Parliamentary Standards Authority will deal with the financial matters about which she talked—we all accept that—it will not become an appointed quango with jurisdiction over Members of Parliament"." She replied:""I think the answer to that is yes."—[Official Report, 18 June 2009; Vol. 494, c. 424.]" She then went on to amplify her reply. However, the Bill before us shows that that is not the case.