Peers face code of conduct

Most peers are not paid and have outside interests

Calls for mandatory registration of peers' interests have been broadly welcomed by Labour and the Liberal Democrats.

But the Conservatives have voiced their unease over the latest report from the Neill Committee which recommended the change.

The move, if peers approve it, would represent a radical departure from the centuries long practices of the upper house.

If peers have nothing to hide, they cannot reasonably complain about an obligation to disclose

Lord Rodgers

The report, the result of six month's work, also recommended a code of conduct for peers.

The Conservative leader in the Lords, Lord Strathclyde, warned against moves that he feared may the create "a House of full-time paid politicians".

But the Neill Committee stopped short of proposing a sleaze watchdog for peers or penalties for transgressors, like those in the Commons.

Lord Neill: Updating the Lords

Its chairman, Lord Neill, said that a light touch was appropriate in regulating a House in which most members were unpaid and were expected to pursue outside jobs.

But he stressed that the belief that the Lords could continue to operate like a gentlemen's club was now out-dated.

And explaining the reason to keep regulation to a minimum in the upper house he said: "It seemed to us it is not necessary to put in place a regime to deal with non-existent allegations of abuse."

More pressure

At present, registration of outside interests other than parliamentary consultancies and lobbying work is voluntary.

But the report stated that this was no longer appropriate, in the light of the increased political importance of the Lords since the removal of 600 hereditary peers last November.

Responding to the news Leader of the Lords Baroness Jay said: "The report is a welcome contribution to maintaining and raising standards.

"I will be consulting the opposition peers very soon to decide how to take this forward."

Reservations

But Lord Strathclyde hinted that the Tories - the largest party in the upper chamber - might oppose any extension of mandatory registration.

"We have always argued strongly that peers must declare all relevant interests in debate and that there should be mandatory registration of those who are professionally paid for parliamentary work or lobbying."

"We would not want the House of Lords to change into a house of full-time paid politicians," he said.

But the Liberal Democrat leader in the Lords, Lord Rodgers, said: "Lord Neill's report will ensure greater transparency. If peers have nothing to hide, they cannot reasonably complain about an obligation to disclose."