RIGHTS OF HON. MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT AND DEVOLVED LEGISLATURES

That this House recognises the need for elected representatives to be able to protect the confidentiality of information brought to them by constituents and other sources; acknowledges the importance of being able to pass on to the appropriate authority information in the public interest without breaching that confidentiality; believes that any erosion of these rights would seriously weaken the ability of public representatives to perform their duty and is an attack on constitutional liberties established over many years and, if unchecked, will undermine the standing of Members of Parliament and members of the devolved legislatures, thus diminishing the trust the public have in their elected representatives to protect the public interest and represent them without fear of interference.