Chiltern Hundreds
The office of Crown Steward and Bailiff of the Three Hundreds of Chiltern is a sinecure used by the UK Parliament to allow MPs to leave .
term
The Chiltern Hundreds (Chiltern- Harden ) are in Buckinghamshire . The Harden in the Chiltern Hills were once notorious as a stronghold of bandits and robbers. Since the 13th century the land has belonged to the Crown, who appointed a royal overseer and bailiff who was responsible for maintaining law and order in the Harden. Since the 17th century it has been an office with no official duties for the incumbent who receives marginal remuneration.
Present function
According to a resolution of the House of Commons from 1624, MPs cannot resign. This decision results from a time when MPs could be elected against their will. On the other hand, under the Act of Settlement , a member of parliament has to leave parliament if he accepts paid office because of concerns about his independence.
An MP who wishes to leave the House of Commons applies to the Chancellor of the Exchequer for the office of Crown Steward and Bailiff of the Chiltern Hundreds or, alternatively, the Crown Steward and Bailiff of the Manor of Northstead . He is then appointed and remains in office until the next appropriate case. Both of the aforementioned offices are filled alternately.