HC Deb 13 February 2004 vol 418 c131W
Mr. Lilley

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether it is the Department's policy to make notes of(a) meetings and (b) telephone conversations involving ministers; and under what circumstances no notes would be taken. [149527]

Margaret Beckett

My Department follows the central "Guidance on the Management of Private Office Papers" which makes clear that good record management procedures are necessary not least to ensure accountability and provide an audit trail. Among the records covered by the guidance are Ministers' meetings and telephone conversations.