I'm currently watching Sir Ivan Rogers giving his account to the Select Committee rooms now, ' live ', on BBC Parliament.
A conservative MP has just raised an interesting question as to the 'supposed' 60 billion we ' could possibly owe ' the EU and raised the point a lot of it is for PENSIONS . He pointed out the poor quality of the EU Finances with regard to process and auditing . No argument from Sir Ivan Rogers I felt.
As for the Lords I firmly believe as with Parliament anybody who is 'called to speak' should ' declare their interest ' and those who have a pension or indeed any dealings with the European Union 'should' declare an interest.
Why? Because they swear an 'Oath of Allegience' to the EU which is applicable whilst ' serving ' and afterwards whist receiving an EU Pension'
" Having been appointed as a Member of the European Commission by the European Council, following the vote of consent by the European Parliament I solemnly undertake: to respect the Treaties and the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union in the fulfilment of all my duties; to be completely independent in carrying out my responsibilities, in the general interest of the Union; in the performance of my tasks, neither to seek nor to take instructions from any Government or from any other institution, body, office or entity; to refrain from any action incompatible with my duties or the performance of my tasks.
I formally note the undertaking of each Member State to respect this principle and not to seek to influence Members of the Commission in the performance of their tasks. I further undertake to respect, both during and AFTER MY TERM OF OFFICE, the obligation arising therefrom, and in particular the duty to behave with integrity and discretion as regards the acceptance, after I have ceased to hold office, of certain appointments or benefits."
This has always been a sore point but the Referendum Result , Triggering of Article 50 has once again reared the ugly head of why they do not have to ' declare their interest ' over any personal EU finances such as pensions.