ABSTRACT
The Nolan Committee considered that Members of Parliament are insufficiently aware of the binding nature of resolutions of the House, and that this climate of laxity is one of the contributory factors to poor compliance. Furthermore, the committee regarded the respective roles of the Select Committee on Members’ Interests and the Committee of Privileges of the House as unclear. The committee proposed the appointment of an independent Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards, responsible for maintaining the Register of Members’ Interests and for providing guidance on standards of ‘conduct, propriety and ethics’. The Commissioner fulfils a similar function to that of the Comptroller and Auditor General and the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration.75 The Commissioner has power to receive and investigate complaints concerning members’ conduct.
