SECTION 43: Corrupt practices.
Purpose and Effect
This section makes members and staff of the Parliament subject to liability for criminal offences under the Prevention of Corruption Acts 1889 to 1916 by making the Parliament a public body for the purposes of those Acts.
General
The Public Bodies Corrupt Practices Act 1889, the Prevention of Corruption Act 1906 and the Prevention of Corruption Act 1916 are known together as the Prevention of Corruption Acts 1889 to 1916. The Acts create certain offences related to bribery and corruption of and by members, officers or servants of local authorities, government departments and other public bodies in connection with that body’s business.
This section ensures that the Parliament is a public body for the purposes of the Prevention of Corruption Acts 1889 to 1916, thus ensuring that the existing law in this area applies to members and staff of the Scottish Parliament.
It is possible for the Parliament to modify sections 40-43 and to make its own provision about such matters (see paragraph 4(2) of Schedule 4).
