Schedule 1: Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority Part 1: Members of the IPSA
48.Paragraph 1 makes provision for the membership of the IPSA. The IPSA is to consist of five members – one chair and four ordinary members. One of the five members must have held (but no longer hold) high judicial office; one must be qualified to be an auditor for the National Audit Office; and one must have been (but no longer be) a member of the House of Commons. Apart from this last-mentioned Parliamentary member, paragraph 1 bars from appointment to the IPSA anyone who has been a member of the House of Commons within the last five years. There is no bar on members of the House of Lords being members of the IPSA.
49.Paragraph 2 makes provision for the appointment of the chair of the IPSA. The chair is appointed by Her Majesty on an address of the House of Commons. The motion for an address may be made only with the agreement of the Speaker, for a candidate selected by the Speaker on merit on the basis of a fair and open competition and approved by the Speaker’s Committee. Paragraph 2 also provides that the same selection and appointment process is to apply for ordinary members of the IPSA.
50.Paragraph 3 provides that the terms and conditions of appointment of members of the IPSA are to be determined by the Speaker.
51.Paragraph 4 deals with the term of office of members of the IPSA, and re-appointment to the IPSA. Members of the IPSA are to be appointed for a fixed term not exceeding five years. They may be re-appointed once only, for a term not exceeding three years.
52.Paragraph 5 makes provision for the resignation and removal from office of members of the IPSA. Members of the IPSA may resign by giving written notice to the Speaker. They may be removed from office by Her Majesty on an address of both Houses of Parliament.
53.Paragraph 6 makes provision enabling the terms and conditions of appointment to the IPSA to provide for payment by the IPSA of remuneration and allowances, and for the provision of a pension.
54.Paragraph 7 requires the IPSA to issue and periodically to revise a code of conduct for its members. The code must incorporate the seven general principles of public life set out by the CSPL or such other similar principles as the IPSA adopt, and must require members to disclose their interests.
55.Paragraph 8 provides that all members of the IPSA are disqualified for membership of the House of Commons and the Northern Ireland Assembly.