Thank you for sharing with me your draft memorandum to the Standards and Privileges committee.

I think this represents a pretty good summary of the situation and I have only the following additional comments to make.

1.  I am not entirely sure that it is for the Director of Finance and Administration to pass judgement on what Members of Parliament say in the House of Commons and I am not happy with the report repeating my comments out of context yet again. I would therefore be grateful if you would consider inserting the full Hansard text in paragraph 19. I believe this is only fair.

2.  It is a matter of fact that in March 2006 the rules of the House from the Serjeant-at-Arms office reverted back to the previous wording which excluded the review by the Administration Committee and made no mention of the prohibition of newsletters and calendars in solicited mailings. I would like this point confirmed as a matter of fact in the section of 'Relevant provisions of the Code of Conduct and Rules of the House'. It is clearly highly relevant as I fail to see how a Member can be taken to task for breaking the rules of one department but not another on the same subject. Perhaps it would be helpful if one department of the House alone retained responsibility for MPs' postage? It would also be helpful if they communicated with each other before issuing contrary guidance to Members.

3.  If I am required to follow any rectification procedures I would like to discuss this with you in advance of any ruling you might make if this is acceptable to you.

Thank you for the time and trouble you have taken on this matter and I would like to wish you well in your new career.

19 July 2007