Standards Committee, 22 Feb 2005

Meeting date: Tuesday, February 22, 2005

Official Report 84KB pdf

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Code of Conduct

Item 2 is the review of the code of conduct for MSPs, which will take us a step further than the Scotland Act 1998 (Transitory and Transitional Provisions) (Members' Interests) Order 1999. We have already agreed that we will start the review by getting input from MSPs and from former members of the consultative steering group code of conduct working group.

In case we confuse members by bringing out a consultation on the code of conduct just as we are about to debate the report on replacing the members' interests order, maybe we can delay sending the letter to MSPs for a short time. However, we can send the letter to former members of the working group. Members have a copy of that letter. I take it that members approve of that course of action. If members have any suggestions for what should be in the letter or have any comments, now is the time to state them.

The letter is admirable, comprehensive and easily understood. We should proceed in the way that you indicate, by delaying the letter to MSPs so as not to confuse them.

We could leave it for a month or so, if that meets with the approval of the committee. Would members also be content to delegate the detail of the letter to the clerks and me, so that we do not have to return to the issue?

Members indicated agreement.