§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what guidance, other than the civil service pay and conditions of service code and the establishment officers' guide, his Department provides relating to civil servants' shareholdings; if he will list the number of occasions within the last five years on which civil servants have reported shareholdings to establishment officers in his Department; what regulations apply to the staff of the next steps agencies within his Department; what mechanisms are in place to prevent potential conflicts of interest; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HowardGuidance is given in the Department's staff handbook, which also applies to staff in its next steps agencies. Notices giving specific guidance have also been issued in relation to the sale of the water services industry and the proposed sale of businesses within PSA Services. This guidance instructs staff on how to avoid actual or potential conflicts of interest. Two members of staff have sought advice on their shareholdings since 1987.