§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what review his Department is carrying out of the rules under which hospitality can be accepted; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Alan ClarkThe Ministry of Defence is currently engaged in a routine review of its hospitality rules involving all interested parties within the Department and in consultation with the trade unions. This review is concerned with clarifying the instructions and guidance which are currently given to all staff within the framework of existing policy.
§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people associated with his Department have logged, according to the Defence Council instruction, that they have been offered hospitality since the procedure was established; what investigations have, and are currently, taking place that the system has not been complied with; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Alan ClarkIt is departmental policy that all offers of hospitality accepted by MOD staff should be registered in hospitality books. These books are the subject of regular review by senior management. The total number of invitations is not collated centrally. There is no evidence to suggest that the procedure is not being followed.