UK Parliament / Open data

Parliamentary Standards Bill

Perhaps the Minister could clarify one small point which is simple compared with all the other problems he has been given this afternoon. On about three occasions, he mentioned the enforcement powers. "Enforcement" is a very strong word which I do not like because it has the sniff of the jackboot about it. I once received a letter at home from Norfolk County Council which on one side said "Norfolk County Council" and in a jazzy way, "working for the people of Norfolk", and on the other side it said, "Rural Enforcement Agency". One title is nice and democratic and the other is dictatorial and unpleasant. Who will enforce what on whom? I can only assume that it is Members of Parliament, those people who have been elected to the House of Commons, which always used to be regarded as the highest place in the country. Now they are having something enforced on them. What is to be enforced on them, who will do the enforcement and how?

About this proceeding contribution

Reference

712 c1082 

Session

2008-09

Chamber / Committee

House of Lords chamber
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