Details of MPs elected in 2010 who are employing relatives

In respect of the first three elements of your request, may I direct you to Category 12 of the Register of Members’ Financial Interests which is published by the House of Commons:

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm/cmregmem/110516/110516.pdf?bcsi_scan_EA0C415560BF16C7=xSDBCdn+/CG8Izi4moOilof7U6aCAAAAWnxiBQ==&bcsi_scan_filename=110516.pdf

This register is updated regularly and lists all relatives in MPs’ employment. It also lists their job title and/or information on their role and in some cases provides information on whether they work in the MPs’ Westminster or constituency office. The information you have requested is therefore exempt from disclosure under section 21 of the FOIA (information accessible to applicant by other means) because the information can be searched and located through Parliament’s website.

The Register does not, however, distinguish between recently elected MPs and those who were in Parliament prior to the 2010 General Election. IPSA also makes no such distinction. Further, IPSA does not currently hold a full record of the locations in which MPs’ staff members work although we are in the process of drawing this information together.

In respect of the fourth element of your request, this information is exempt under 22(1) (information intended for future publication) of the Freedom of Information Act. On 7 July 2011 we will be publishing in £5,000 bands the salaries of all connected parties in MPs’ employment. “Connected parties” cover a wider group than relatives alone. The manner in which the information will be published will make it straightforward to distinguish between relatives in MPs’ employment and others who fall into the connected party category. We have considered whether the public interest in releasing the information outweighs the application of the exemption. It is our opinion that the public interest is best served by publishing the information at a set date, rather than on a piecemeal basis, which will mean that a clear and complete set of information is published, and will also avoid causing confusion. It is for these reasons that the application of the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosure.

In respect of the final element of your request, I can confirm that we do not hold this information. However, as no newly elected MP has been in office for more than 13 months, the longest period of employment for any of these MPs’ relatives in their employment can be 13 months.