§ Mr. MilburnTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment on how many occasions during the last five years(a) civil servants and (b) special advisers in his Department or its agencies have declared conflicts of interest; and how many instructions have been issued about their retention, disposal or management. [21383]
§ Miss WiddecombeThe information requested in the first part of the question is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Instructions on declaring conflicts of interest are contained in the Department's group personnel handbook. All members of staff must comply with these instructions and any subsequent instructions about the retention, disposal or management of such interests.