§ Pete WishartTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many special advisers in the Department(a) have left and (b) will be leaving to work in Scotland for the Labour Party in the forthcoming Scottish parliamentary elections. [103607]
§ Mr. LammyThe rules relating to special advisers' political activities are set out in the Model Contract for Special Advisers. Further guidance in respect of elections for the Scottish Parliament is set out at paragraph 13 of the Guidance on Conduct for Civil Servants in United Kingdom Departments, published by the Cabinet Office on 10 March.
The reasons for a special adviser's resignation are a private matter between the Department and adviser and are therefore exempt from disclosure under paragraph 12 of the Code of Practice on Access to Information.