§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will list the officials in her Department who have declared a current interest; what requirements are placed on officials to declare relevant interests; in what form records of such declarations are kept; and if she will establish a register of officials' interests. [16894]
§ Mr. Robin SquireStaff of the Department must declare any conflict of interest between their work and outside interests so that senior management can determine how best to proceed. This requirement is set out in the handbooks of the former Education and Employment Departments and will be reflected in the guidance that is currently being produced for the new Department for Education and Employment.
A central register is not kept. Staff who disclose relevant interests do so on the understanding that the declaration, like all employment matters, is confidential between them and their employer.