HOUSE OF LORDS - United Kingdom Parliament

itself once each Parliament, the Sub-Committee keeps the “Guide to the
Code of Conduct” under regular review. 1 This Guide has been agreed by
resolution of the House, and is binding upon members. Any change to
the Guide must be reported to the House and no change can take effect
until agreed by the House.
5.04 What follows is a summary of key points within the Guide to the
Code of Conduct; however, the Guide itself is the authoritative source of
such guidance, and is kept under regular review by the Sub-Committee
on Lords’ Conduct. Copies of the up-to-date text of the Guide are
available online, from the Printed Paper Office or from the Registrar of
Lords’ Interests. The Registrar is also available to advise members on the
rules governing members’ conduct.
General principles and rules of conduct
5.05 Members are required both “to comply with the Code of Conduct”
(paragraph 8(a)), and to act always “on their personal honour” (paragraph
8(b)). These paragraphs of the Code, taken together, mean that members
are required not only to obey the letter of the rules, but to act in accordance
with the spirit of those rules and the sense of the House.
5.06 Members are required under paragraph 7 of the Code to base
their actions on consideration of the public interest. Acceptance of
financial inducement as an incentive or reward for exercising
parliamentary influence would necessarily contravene this principle.
Paragraph 8(c) of the Code therefore states that members “must never
accept or agree to accept any financial inducement as an incentive or
reward for exercising parliamentary influence”.
5.07 Paragraph 8(d) of the Code describes the specific application of
the principles described in paragraphs 7 and 8(c): members “must not
seek to profit from membership of the House by accepting or agreeing to
accept payment or other incentive or reward in return for providing
parliamentary advice or services”.
5.08 The prohibition on accepting payment in return for parliamentary
advice means that members may not act as paid parliamentary
consultants, advising outside organisations or persons on process, for
1 Privileges 2nd Rpt 2009–10.
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