6 Conclusion and forward look
6.1 As this report shows, the past year has been
a busy one of solid achievement. As well as handling the ebb and
flow of individual cases, we have made further progress in strengthening
the system for promoting and sustaining high standards of conduct
in the House and in trying to prevent breaches of those standards
through improved guidance and help to Members.
6.2 This coming year will see my colleagues and me,
under the oversight of the Committee on Standards and Privileges,
seeking to carry those objectives further by:
- Preparing and implementing
a coordinated strategy for briefing Members on standards issues,
a task which will assume enhanced importance in the wake of a
General Election with the entry of new Members to the House.
- Agreeing with the Committee procedures for handling
complaints involving allegations of criminal conduct.
- Mounting with the Committee a review of the Code
of Conduct, including consultation with external parties.
The progress we can make with these objectives will
inevitably be affected by the volume of everyday advice and complaints
work but we are already well placed to achieve results.
6.3 In conclusion I wish to thank my immediate colleagues
and other staff of the House for their help during a demanding
year. I also wish to thank the Committee on Standards and Privileges,
its Chairman, Sir George Young, and its staff for their advice
and help in taking forward our shared strategy.
10 June 2004 Sir Philip Mawer
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