Advisory Committee on Business Appointments/Ministerial Code

Debate between Tom Tugendhat and Ben Gummer

Monday 20th March 2017 Commons Chamber

[Ben Gummer]

It is not for me to make that determination; it is for the independent advisory committee to do so, and it will make a recommendation to my right hon. Friend the Member for Tatton. I know that the hon. Gentleman wants me to say something controversial, but it would be wrong to undermine the process in the committee that is under way and to prejudice its decision by saying one thing or another.

[Tom Tugendhat (Tonbridge and Malling) (Con)]

Many people in this House have second jobs, including you, Mr Speaker. Your second job is obviously being Speaker of this House, and you do it assiduously, while being able to serve your constituents. Will the Minister help me to understand which jobs would be considered acceptable by the Government or another statutory body, as many people write books, or own land or property? Should they therefore sell everything into monastic simplicity and become a political class, or should they represent the economy and the people of this country by maintaining an intact body of effort with other people?

[Ben Gummer]

I congratulate—[Interruption.]