Parliamentary Standards Bill

Amendment 43A 43A: Clause 6, page 4, line 33, leave out subsections (4) and (5) and insert— "(4) If, after conducting an investigation, the Commissioner finds that the member was paid an amount under the scheme that should not have been allowed, the Commissioner must refer the Commissioner’s findings to the House of Commons Committee on Standards and Privileges. (5) But the Commissioner need not refer the findings if— (a) the member accepts the findings, (b) such other conditions as may be specified by the IPSA are, in the Commissioner’s view, met in relation to the case, and (c) the member repays to the IPSA, in such manner and within such period as the Commissioner considers reasonable, such amount as the Commissioner considers reasonable. (5A) If, after conducting an investigation, the Commissioner finds that the member failed to comply with a requirement included in the code by virtue of section 5(7), the Commissioner must refer the Commissioner’s findings to the Committee on Standards and Privileges. (5B) But the Commissioner need not refer the findings if— (a) the member accepts the findings, (b) the Commissioner considers that the financial interest concerned was minor or that the failure was inadvertent, (c) such other conditions as may be specified by the IPSA are, in the Commissioner’s view, met in relation to the case, and (d) the member takes any steps required by the Commissioner to correct the register. (5C) If the Commissioner finds that a member who is the subject of an investigation has not provided the Commissioner with information the Commissioner reasonably requires for the purposes of the investigation, the Commissioner may refer the finding to the Committee on Standards and Privileges." Amendments 43B to 43E not moved. Amendment 43A agreed. Amendments 44 to 46 had been withdrawn from the Marshalled List.