MPs given until 30 June to declare private interests

© emiliezhang – za.fotolia.com

The deadline, according to the committee, will afford members ample time to familiarise themselves with the requirements of the new Code of Ethical Conduct and Disclosure of Members' Interests, which was adopted late last year, as well as the new disclosure form for accurate disclosures.

The committee said this deadline will enable it to process all declarations for possible adoption of the Register for Members' Interests at the beginning of September this year.

The new disclosure form was also approved on Wednesday with new inclusions such as the need for MPs to declare whether they have any trusts, long-term loans or liabilities.

The new form also requires MPs to disclose any contracts they have with public institutions so that the committee can ensure that an MP with a public contract is only allowed to continue with that particular contract up to its expiry date and that it does not get extended.

Committee members were particularly pleased with the insertion of the preamble of the new form.

They indicated that this preamble captures the principles by which MPs must abide - selflessness with integrity, objectivity, openness, honesty and leadership.