Valerie responds to a motion to appoint members to the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority

On behalf of HM Opposition, I responded to a motion to appoint Helen Jones and reappoint Sir Robert Owen as ordinary members of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority. You can read my speech below: 

“I thank the Leader of the House for setting out in full the background to these appointments. The Opposition support the motion, but I want to say a couple of words about Sir Robert Owen. I am pleased that a person of his stature has agreed to be reappointed. Helen Jones has served in this House, as the Leader of the House has outlined, as Chair of the Petitions Committee. I know that both will bring their expertise on this important body. Her Majesty’s Opposition support everything that the Leader of the House has said and support the motion.”