What the Herald Didn't Report

I shared the following with the Herald when asked to bring forward publication of my expenses.  They chose not to report it.

To all Members

Following the exchanges at Business Questions today, I am contacting you in case you are considering publishing your allowances information in advance of publication by the House Service.  It is not for the House Service to advise you on whether or not to do this, but you should be aware of two issues affecting you personally and a third affecting the House as a whole.  

First, in publishing this information yourself, you would take on responsibility as data controllers for ensuring that it meets the requirements of the Data Protection Act 1998. For example, you would need to take care to avoid publishing personal data about staff or suppliers. You may wish to take your own legal advice before publishing.  

Second, if you are contemplating publishing the information electronically, you should be aware that, in the current format, apparently redacted information may remain accessible.

The third issue arises because of the huge size of the allowances files held on the TSO website, due to the very high volume of data involved.  If a significant number of Members simultaneously download this information onto the parliamentary network, store it, or transmit it using parliamentary email, there is a risk that the parliamentary network will slow down or freeze.

The House Service is continuing to prepare information for publication as directed by the Members Estimate Committee. For advice on the publication arrangements please contact the helpline on extension 2021.

Malcolm Jack

Clerk of the House and Chief Executive