§ Q18. Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Prime Minister whether he will extend the rule whereby Ministers of the Crown have to resign paid appointments on taking office to include that, where a Minister is dealing with matters which may have a financial advantage to a company or organisation with which the Minister has or had financial connection or shareholdings, before discussing projects connected with these companies the Minister concerned should declare such interests to his Senior Permanent Secretary or in a special Prime Minister's book of financial interests kept for this purpose.
§ The Prime MinisterIt is an established principle, that, where a Minister considers that the rules permit him to retain a private interest, he should nevertheless declare that interest to his colleagues if they have to discuss business that affects it, and should detach himself from the consideration of that business.