B

Baroness Smith of Basildon (Lab)

Speaking in the House of Lords on 16 October 2024

Debate

Ministerial Gifts and Hospitality

Contribution

No, my Lords, I do not agree that it should be a criminal offence, but there has to be complete transparency about this. Presumably, many Members of this House have wanted to attend cultural events or seminars and conferences, sometimes to inform the work they do in this House. That should be declared, but so should cultural events that are received as gifts. Some of the media outlets that have complained rather bitterly about others taking hospitality have themselves offered hospitality for Ministers to discuss the very issues they are interested in.

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