Question

To ask the hon. Member for Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney, representing the House of Commons Commission, pursuant to the answer of 16 July 2026 to Question 18054 on Members’ Interests: Registration, whether the House of Commons has a policy on whether donations accepted by a hon. Member in the 12 months before they are elected should be permissible.

The requirement to register donations in the 12 months before they are elected is set out in paragraphs 1 and 2 of Chapter 1 of the Code of Conduct and Guide to the Rules:

1. Paragraph 5 of the Code of Conduct for Members of Parliament provides:

Members must fulfil conscientiously the requirements of the House in respect of the registration of interests in the Register of Members’ Financial Interests. New Members must register all their current financial interests, and any registrable benefits (other than earnings) received in the 12 months before their election within one month of their election, and Members must register any change in those registrable interests within 28 days.

2. The House therefore requires new Members, within one month of their election, to register all their current financial interests, and any registrable benefits (other than earnings) received in the 12 months before their election. After that, Members are required to register within 28 days any change in those registrable interests. Such a change includes both the acquisition of a new interest and the ceasing of any registered interest, for example because an employment has ceased or because a holding has reduced in value or been sold.

The rules on registering donations (Category 2) are set out in paragraphs 15 to 20 of Chapter 1.