Defra: Scientific Advisory Committees

HL Deb 10 June 2002 vol 636 c11WA

Lord Redesdale

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What guidance the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has given to its scientific advisory committees on the updating of members' declarations of interests; and [HL4470]

What recent guidance the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has given to its scientific advisory committees on implementing its non-statutory plans. [HL4471]

Lord Whitty

Defra's scientific advisory committees follow theCode of Practice for Scientific Advisory Committees, issued in December 2001 by the Office of Science and Technology, DTI and the Code of Practice for Board Members of Public Bodies, issued in 1994 by HM Treasury. These include guidance to members on declarations of interest and other matters.

The department requires that members of advisory NDPBs report any significant changes to the information regarding their declaration of interest provided on appointment and to update this information as soon as changes to their details occur.