§ 23. Mr. Gordon Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will conduct a review of the rules under which councillors taking decisions in local authorities are required to declare an interest.
§ Mr. RifkindThe Local Government (Scotland) A ct of 1973 already provides for declaration of pecuniary interest; declaration of other forms of interest is covered in the national code of conduct issued in 1975 by the Government with the agreement of the local government associations in Great Britain. Many local authority standing orders make further provision for declaration of interest. I have no evidence that there is a need to review the legislation or the guidance, but I am willing to consider any such evidence in consultation with the convention.