Press briefing: morning 23 February 2015
The Prime Minister's Official Spokesperson answered questions about MPs' outside interests and working mothers.
MPs’ outside interests
When asked about MPs’ outside interests, the Prime Minister’s Official Spokesman (PMOS) reiterated the Prime Minister’s comments that he did not view a Chamber full of professional politicians with no outside experience as a good thing. He said the Prime Minister had also said that there needed to be proper rules around transparency and disclosure.
The PMOS pointed out that the government had legislated on lobbying, and said it was right that the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner would investigate where concerns were raised about transparency and disclosure with regard to MPs and their interests.
When asked about the Chairmanship of the Intelligence and Security Committee, the PMOS noted that the appointment of that role was now, as a result of changes made by this government, a matter for the House of Commons as a whole.
Working mothers
When asked about comments on the suitability of expectant mothers to be Cabinet Ministers, the PMOS said that it was entirely a matter for individual families to take the decision about what was right for them, and it was the government’s job to support them in those decisions.