The Committee on Standards and Privileges has agreed to the following Report:—

1. We have considered the memorandum from the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards relating to the complaint from Mr Denis MacShane, Member for Rotherham, against Mr Stephen Dorrell, Member for Charnwood. The Commissioner's memorandum is appended to this Report.

2. Mr MacShane complained that Mr Dorrell had given notice of, and subsequently made, a motion relating to trade union recognition whilst retaining a registrable interest in a company which did not recognise trade unions. The Commissioner concluded that this action amounted to a breach of the advocacy rule. We recognise that there are arguments on both sides of the case, but on balance we do not consider that the parliamentary proceeding in question related specifically and directly to Mr Dorrell's company, nor that those companies which had no recognition agreement with trade unions have enough in common with one another to be regarded as a "group, sector, category or organisation whose affairs and interests are substantially the same as those of the outside body" in which Mr Dorrell had an interest, and accordingly we do not uphold this part of the complaint. Nonetheless a case which falls very close to the borderline should serve as a reminder to all Members who may have occasion to initiate parliamentary proceedings, that they should be cautious when doing so on matters which touch their registrable interests, and should first seek the advice of the Commissioner or the Registrar of Members' Interests.

3. Mr MacShane also complained that Mr Dorrell ought to have declared his interest in the debate. We agree with the Commissioner's view that Mr Dorrell's direct and indirect interests were sufficient to trigger the need for declaration, both in the notice of motion and in his speech. We note that Mr Dorrell has expressed his willingness to defer to the Commissioner's judgement in the matter and we recommend that no further action be taken.