§ Mr. FatchettTo ask the Secretary of State for Education if she will list and date those occasions over the last two years when Ministers or officials in her Department have met lobbying companies, prior to a decision being made on the subject of the meeting with the lobbying company.
§ Mrs. Gillian ShephardThis information is not held centrally and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.
§ Mr. FatchettTo ask the Secretary of State for Education if she will list the guidelines issued by her Department to regulate relationships with lobbying companies.
§ Mrs. Gillian ShephardThe conduct of officials of the Department is regulated by a terms and conditions of service handbook. This incorporates the general principles of conduct that require civil servants not to misuse information which they acquire in the course of their duties; not to make use of their official position to further their private interests or those of others; and not to receive gifts, hospitality or benefits of any kind from a third party, which might be seen to compromise their personal judgment or integrity.