There's a lot of re-settlement costs and so on. That figure will also cover some new equipment for the Parliamentary Precinct's newest addition. The main estimates were approved by the Commons Board of Internal Economy in late January. As part of their calls for House reforms, MPs have been clamouring for greater access to the House lawyers who help them draft their amendments to bills and craft their Private Members' bills. Others feel that the clerks are actually an advantage because they help to make sure it's procedurally sound.
Procedure is different from just legal work.
They said the MPs' bills and amendments were stored on a common computer system which other House committee clerks can access. They argued that allowing other parties to see the bills and amendments without the MPs' permission was a violation of client-solicitor privilege. The two have since left the bureau. Mr. Strahl said that the affair did figure into the hiring of new lawyers. You want a specialist and you want to know that it's going to be kept here, in the House, kept confidential.