Speaker’s Rulings — Pecuniary Interest—Member's Right to Vote

Last evening, prior to the suspension of the sitting at midnight, members raised points of order about whether a member who is a member of a local authority affected by this bill should have declared this as a financial interest. The members suggested that such an interest should disqualify the member from participating in debate or voting on this bill. The Chairperson undertook to consider these points further. The points of order raised by the members are not sustained, for two reasons. First, under Standing Order 160(2)(b), a financial interest does not include any interest held by a member as one of a class of persons who hold public office. Second, even if it were decided that the member held a financial interest, there is no rule that would prevent the member from participating in debate or voting.