§ 28. Mr. BattleTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if his Department will draw up a code of conduct to ensure that the private business interests of chairmen of health authorities are kept clearly separate from their public responsibilities.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyThe statutory position is already quite clear. Under regulation 14(1) of the National Health Service (Regional and District Health Authorities: Membership and Procedure) Regulations (SI 1983 No. 315) a chairman of a health authority is required to declare any pecuniary interest, direct or otherwise, in any contract or other matter which is the subject of consideration by the health authority. He may not then take part in any consideration or discussion of the contract (or matter) or vote on any question in respect of it.