Question

To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker what are the rules for All-Party Parliamentary Groups requiring them to advertise their future meetings; and who is responsible for monitoring and enforcing any non-compliance.

The arrangements for All-Party Parliamentary Groups (APPGs) are set out in the The All-Party Parliamentary Groups Guide to the Rules. This states that the chair of the relevant APPG is responsible for the publication of certain meetings at least a week in advance in the All-Party Notices. The meetings which require a notice are an annual general meeting; an extraordinary general meeting; or any other meeting where a vote is to be held or a decision taken, or where there is an outside speaker. The notice in the All-Party Notices must include the details of a parliamentary contact and, if relevant, the name of the outside speaker.

The Guide to the Rules was approved by the House of Commons Standards Committee following a resolution of the House of Commons.

Paragraph 10 of the House of Commons Code of Conduct provides that an MP who is the chair and registered contact of an APPG must ensure that the APPG complies with the rules on APPGs. The Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards may investigate alleged breach of those rules. Members of the House of Lords are not permitted to be named as the chair and registered contact of an APPG but may be an office holder.