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Questions over MP 'clean-up' bill Questions over MP 'clean-up' bill
(39 minutes later)
Plans to "clean up politics" in the wake of the expenses scandal are to be debated by MPs for the second day. Plans to "clean up politics" in the wake of the expenses scandal are being debated by MPs for the second day.
On Monday the Parliamentary Standards Bill passed its first Commons hurdle but concerns have been raised that the bill is being "rushed through".On Monday the Parliamentary Standards Bill passed its first Commons hurdle but concerns have been raised that the bill is being "rushed through".
Minister Jack Straw agreed to drop a clause that would have made the MPs' code of conduct legally binding.Minister Jack Straw agreed to drop a clause that would have made the MPs' code of conduct legally binding.
The government says it will try to reintroduce it but apply it only to MPs' financial matters.The government says it will try to reintroduce it but apply it only to MPs' financial matters.
The prime minister's spokesman said: "For us the key part was always the part that relates to financial matters and that remains".The prime minister's spokesman said: "For us the key part was always the part that relates to financial matters and that remains".
Independent bodyIndependent body
Wider plans for a legally binding code of conduct covering other aspects of MPs' behaviour were dropped amid concerns it would prompt a flood of legal challenges.Wider plans for a legally binding code of conduct covering other aspects of MPs' behaviour were dropped amid concerns it would prompt a flood of legal challenges.
Tuesday's debate is expected to focus on the new Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority - which will authorise or reject MPs' expenses claims and oversee a new allowances system. Tuesday's debate will focus on the new Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority - which will authorise or reject MPs' expenses claims and oversee a new allowances system.
MPs will debate how it will be set up and who will be on it.MPs will debate how it will be set up and who will be on it.
This could have a chilling effect on the freedom of speech of members Malcolm JackClerk of the HouseThis could have a chilling effect on the freedom of speech of members Malcolm JackClerk of the House
The government wants the bill to be on the statute books by 21 July, when MPs leave for the summer recess.The government wants the bill to be on the statute books by 21 July, when MPs leave for the summer recess.
It means there is a tight timetable for MPs to scrutinise the proposals - with only three days of debate scheduled.It means there is a tight timetable for MPs to scrutinise the proposals - with only three days of debate scheduled.
It is due to clear the Commons on Wednesday and then go to the House of Lords, where peers will have nearly two weeks to debate plans.It is due to clear the Commons on Wednesday and then go to the House of Lords, where peers will have nearly two weeks to debate plans.
The timetable leaves just one day to resolve any differences between the House of Lords and the Commons before the summer recess on 21 July.The timetable leaves just one day to resolve any differences between the House of Lords and the Commons before the summer recess on 21 July.
Mr Straw said it was "emergency legislation on which all parties are in principle committed to a speedy passage".Mr Straw said it was "emergency legislation on which all parties are in principle committed to a speedy passage".
But several figures have raised concerns it is being rushed through and may have damaging consequences.But several figures have raised concerns it is being rushed through and may have damaging consequences.
In Monday's debate veteran Tory backbencher Sir Patrick Cormack, referring to a widely criticised piece of emergency legislation, said it was in danger of becoming a "constitutional Dangerous Dogs Bill".In Monday's debate veteran Tory backbencher Sir Patrick Cormack, referring to a widely criticised piece of emergency legislation, said it was in danger of becoming a "constitutional Dangerous Dogs Bill".
Proper scrutinyProper scrutiny
Some Labour MPs and Sir Philip Mawer, a former standards commissioner, also raised concerns.Some Labour MPs and Sir Philip Mawer, a former standards commissioner, also raised concerns.
And Malcolm Jack, the Commons' most senior official, warned in written evidence to the justice committee that one clause would allow Parliamentary proceedings to be admitted as evidence in criminal proceedings.And Malcolm Jack, the Commons' most senior official, warned in written evidence to the justice committee that one clause would allow Parliamentary proceedings to be admitted as evidence in criminal proceedings.
The expenses scandal has profoundly affected the public's trust in us as individuals, in the House as the heart of our democracy and in almost equal measure has seriously damaged our own confidence in ourselves Jack StrawJustice Secretary MPs' code of conduct plan dropped New laws target rule-breaking MPsThe expenses scandal has profoundly affected the public's trust in us as individuals, in the House as the heart of our democracy and in almost equal measure has seriously damaged our own confidence in ourselves Jack StrawJustice Secretary MPs' code of conduct plan dropped New laws target rule-breaking MPs
"This could have a chilling effect on the freedom of speech of members and of witnesses before committees," he wrote."This could have a chilling effect on the freedom of speech of members and of witnesses before committees," he wrote.
Mr Straw said it was "imperative that we have on the statute book by the end of July a workable scheme to establish an Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority and all that goes with it".Mr Straw said it was "imperative that we have on the statute book by the end of July a workable scheme to establish an Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority and all that goes with it".
He told MPs on Monday the expenses scandal had "profoundly affected the public's trust in us" and had "seriously damaged our own confidence in ourselves".He told MPs on Monday the expenses scandal had "profoundly affected the public's trust in us" and had "seriously damaged our own confidence in ourselves".
Controversial proposals to create three new criminal offences for MPs who break rules will be debated in the Commons on Wednesday.Controversial proposals to create three new criminal offences for MPs who break rules will be debated in the Commons on Wednesday.
The Tories say existing laws should be applied more rigorously and the new laws mean an MP could face 12 months in jail - while, under the Theft Act, other people could get up to ten years.The Tories say existing laws should be applied more rigorously and the new laws mean an MP could face 12 months in jail - while, under the Theft Act, other people could get up to ten years.
Conservative MPs have put down amendments calling for the offences of knowingly making a false claim for an allowance, failing to register a relevant interest and breaking the rules on paid advocacy to be removed.Conservative MPs have put down amendments calling for the offences of knowingly making a false claim for an allowance, failing to register a relevant interest and breaking the rules on paid advocacy to be removed.
Shadow Commons leader Alan Duncan said the amendments were designed to "probe the Bill".Shadow Commons leader Alan Duncan said the amendments were designed to "probe the Bill".
A spokesman for Justice Secretary Jack Straw said the Conservative amendments "would dramatically water down the powers of the new authority".A spokesman for Justice Secretary Jack Straw said the Conservative amendments "would dramatically water down the powers of the new authority".
Liberal Democrat MP Sir Alan Beith, who chairs the Commons justice committee, has also raised concerns about the new criminal offences which he said could raise problems of "double jeopardy" - people being prosecuted twice for the same offence.Liberal Democrat MP Sir Alan Beith, who chairs the Commons justice committee, has also raised concerns about the new criminal offences which he said could raise problems of "double jeopardy" - people being prosecuted twice for the same offence.