April 2007

Register of Members' Interests

This edition of the Register of Members' Interests (HC 436) records Members' Interests as at 26 March 2007.

The main purpose of the Register is to encourage transparency by providing information of any pecuniary or other material benefit which an MP receives, which might reasonably be thought by others to influence his or her actions, speeches or votes in Parliament.

NHS IT “behind schedule”

The National Programme for IT in the NHS was set up to utilise information technology to help provide high quality services to patients, using centrally managed procurement to provide impetus to the uptake of IT and to secure economies of scale.

Expenditure on the Programme is expected to be £12.4bn over ten years to 2013-14.

EU financial management strengthened

This Report from the National Audit Office 'Financial Management in the European Union' (HC 401) examines the state of financial management in the European Union.

The Report looks at the background, presents key findings in respect of the main expenditure areas, irregularities and possible fraud, and looks at ways of improving financial management.

Improving educational facilities at Parliament

This Report ‘Improving Facilities for Educational Visitors to Parliament’ (HC 434) looks at improving visitor's access to Parliament, and assesses what the focus of Parliament's visitor services should be and who should be the main target audience.

NHS consultant contract reviewed

This National Audit Office (NAO) Report ‘Pay modernisation: a new contract for NHS consultants in England’ (HC 335) examines the contract for NHS consultants agreed in 2003 and widely implemented by April 2004.

The contract was needed to increase the size and commitment of the consultant workforce if it was to deliver the NHS reform agenda and comply with the requirements of the European Working Time Directive to reduce consultants’ hours.

Restructuring the Post Office

The Government believes that the current network of Post Offices is unsustainable and has outlined plans for restructuring, which involve closures, relocations and new delivery mechanisms.

This Report ‘Stamp of Approval? Restructuring the Post Office Network’ (HC 276) examines this proposed restructuring strategy.

Income Tax Act 2007

The 'Income Tax Act 2007' is an Act to restate, with minor changes, certain enactments relating to income tax. The Act received Royal Assent on 20 March 2007.

The main purpose of the Income Tax Act 2007 is to rewrite income tax legislation to make it clearer and easier to use.

Treatment of asylum seekers

This Report 'The Treatment of Asylum Seekers' (HL 81-I/HC 60-I) considers the human rights issues raised by the treatment of asylum seekers, from the time that they first claim asylum to either the granting of asylum or departure from the UK.

Private pension reform welcomed

This Report from the House of Commons Work and Pensions Committee ‘Personal Accounts’ (HC 220-I) looks at Government proposals for pensions and savings.

In light of current estimates that around seven million people are currently undersaving for retirement, the Government published a White Paper ‘Personal Accounts: A new way to save’ (Cm 6975) in December 2006. The White Paper set out proposals to reform the private pensions system and promote a new pensions saving culture.

Success and failure in UK car industry

Although initially sparked by the collapse of MG Rover, this Inquiry was broadened to cover wider issues concerning the UK automotive industry.

David Cameron’s party fund raising

This Report 'Conduct of Mr David Cameron' (HC 429) considers a complaint that Mr Cameron’s Parliamentary office in the House was being used as part of a party fund raising strategy.

Hybrid embryo research ban examined

This Report ‘Government Proposals for the Regulation of Hybrid and Chimera Embryos’ (HC 272-I) is a response by the House of Commons Science and Technology Select Committee to the publication of Government proposals to prohibit the creation of human-animal chimera or hybrid embryos for research for the time being, published as ‘Review of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act’, (Cm. 6989).

Market intervention recommended on phone charges

Around 140 million EU citizens are affected by roaming charges (charges for making and receiving mobile phone calls whilst abroad).

The House of Lords European Union Committee’s Report ‘Mobile Phone Charges in the EU: Curbing the Excesses’ (HL 79-I) finds that these roaming services currently lack transparency and are not sufficiently competitive, thus presenting a significant challenge to the single market as excessive roaming charges impact not only directly on customers but also create barriers to small and medium enterprises operating effectively across the EU.

Disability discrimination laws "should protect mental health"

This Report ‘Improving the Mental Health of the Population: Can the European Union help?’ (HLP 73- I) from the House of Lords European Union Committee brings together evidence on the impact of mental health problems from a wide range of individuals and organisations.

Serious Crime Bill human rights questions

In this Report ‘Legislative Scrutiny: Fifth progress report‘ (HL 91/HC 490), the Joint Committee on Human Rights draws attention to some human rights compatibility issues concerning the Serious Crime Bill (HL Bill 27).

The main purpose of the Bill is to introduce Serious Crime Prevention Orders (SCPOs), empowering courts to impose a wide range of prohibitions or requirements in order to prevent harm from serious crime.