Point of Order: Rectification Procedure

Ian Murray Excerpts

Thursday 19th December 2013 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

On a point of order in connection with the code of conduct to rectify a failure fully to declare an interest, I call Mr Ian Murray.

[Ian Murray (Edinburgh South) (Lab)]

On a point of order, Mr Speaker—thank you very much. On 11 September this year, I spoke in a debate on part 3 of the Transparency of Lobbying, Non-party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Bill, when I said:

“I also refer Members to my entry in the Register of Members’ Financial Interests.”—[Official Report, 11 September 2013; Vol. 567, c. 1002.]

I am grateful to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards for the robust but fair way in which she has dealt with the complaint and the conclusion that she reached. Following her advice, I now recognise that I should have gone further than just drawing the House’s attention to the register and should have referred to the specific entry in the register that was relevant, and also should have done so earlier in the debate. I therefore apologise to the House.

[Mr Speaker]

I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman, as the House will be.

Bill Presented

Energy Demand Reduction Bill

Presentation and First Reading (Standing Order No. 57)

Sir Andrew Stunell, supported by Zac Goldsmith, Dr Alan Whitehead, Joan Walley, Mr John Leech, Mark Durkan, Kelvin Hopkins, Katy Clark, Natascha Engel, John McDonnell, Dr Julian Huppert and Mike Gapes, presented a Bill to require the Secretary of State to draw up and implement a strategy for energy demand reduction; and for connected purposes.

Bill read the First time; to be read a Second time on Friday 28 February, and to be printed (Bill 150).