Coalition govt releases new parliamentary reform measures
Friday, 21 May 2010 12:00 AM
By politics.co.uk staff
The government has released three documents today setting out procedures for the new parliament.
They include an updated ministerial code, a list of Cabinet committees and the coalition agreement for stability and reform.
The new code bars former ministers from lobbying government for two years, places restrictions on advisers and government cars and requires regular publication of ministerial meetings and any gifts they receive.
Specifically, all hospitality received will be published quarterly, whereas previously only that over £140 was, and all overseas travel will be documented, as opposed to the annual publication of trips over £500 under the previous government.
The code also calls for a reduction in the use of special advisers and of ministerial cars - stating that ministers should use public transport "whenever practicable".
Ministers who have grace-and-favour homes will also be banned from receiving the accommodation allowance from parliament.
The committee list shows a reduction in the number of committees and lists the members of each, including the chairs and deputy chairs which in each case will include a member from both of the coalition partners.
The agreement also sets out the practical operational arrangements for how the coalition will operate.
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