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| Version 6 | Version 7 |
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| Questions over MP 'clean-up' bill | Questions over MP 'clean-up' bill |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Plans to "clean up politics" in the wake of the expenses scandal are being 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 body | Independent 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 focusing on the new Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) - which will authorise or reject MPs' expenses claims and oversee a new allowances system. | |
| This very bad piece of legislation has been foisted upon us by the prime minster in a spirit of vindictiveness, malice and uncharitableness Sir Patrick CormackConservative MP MPs' code of conduct plan dropped New laws target rule-breaking MPs | This very bad piece of legislation has been foisted upon us by the prime minster in a spirit of vindictiveness, malice and uncharitableness Sir Patrick CormackConservative MP MPs' code of conduct plan dropped New laws target rule-breaking MPs |
| As it opened, several MPs complained about the IPSA's name - arguing there were already several bodies with the word "standards" in the title and it would be less confusing to call it a payments body instead. | As it opened, several MPs complained about the IPSA's name - arguing there were already several bodies with the word "standards" in the title and it would be less confusing to call it a payments body instead. |
| Tory MP John Redwood questioned whether the new "very complex and expensive" body would be better than simply "beefing up" existing arrangements. | Tory MP John Redwood questioned whether the new "very complex and expensive" body would be better than simply "beefing up" existing arrangements. |
| And others queried the point of setting up the body before Sir Christopher Kelly's independent committee reports on its recommendations to reform MPs' expenses. | And others queried the point of setting up the body before Sir Christopher Kelly's independent committee reports on its recommendations to reform MPs' expenses. |
| Tight timetable | Tight timetable |
| Mr Straw said the idea had been to have a name that could also incorporate the House of Lords in future and the name had been accepted by the main party leaders, who had also agreed on the need for it, despite the ongoing Kelly inquiry. | Mr Straw said the idea had been to have a name that could also incorporate the House of Lords in future and the name had been accepted by the main party leaders, who had also agreed on the need for it, despite the ongoing Kelly inquiry. |
| 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. |
| This could have a chilling effect on the freedom of speech of members Malcolm JackClerk of the House | This could have a chilling effect on the freedom of speech of members Malcolm JackClerk of the House |
| 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. |
| On Tuesday's debate, veteran Tory backbencher Sir Patrick Cormack said: "This very bad piece of legislation has been foisted upon us by the prime minster in a spirit of vindictiveness, malice and uncharitableness." | On Tuesday's debate, veteran Tory backbencher Sir Patrick Cormack said: "This very bad piece of legislation has been foisted upon us by the prime minster in a spirit of vindictiveness, malice and uncharitableness." |
| He was warned by the deputy Speaker about his choice of words. | He was warned by the deputy Speaker about his choice of words. |
| Proper scrutiny | Proper 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. |
| "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". |
| 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. |
| But a spokesman for Mr Straw said Conservative amendments "would dramatically water down the powers of the new authority". | But a spokesman for Mr Straw said Conservative amendments "would dramatically water down the powers of the new authority". |