§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what guidance, other than the civil service pay and conditions of service code and the establishment officers' guide, his Department provides relating to civil servants' shareholdings; if he will list the number of occasions within the last five years on which civil servants have reported shareholdings to establishment officers in his Department; what regulations apply to the staff of the next steps agencies within his Department; what mechanisms are in place to prevent potential conflicts of interest; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. David HuntGuidance based on the civil service pay and conditions of service code covering the personal interests and conduct of civil servants, including the use of official knowledge for private gain, is contained in the Welsh Office handbook which is available to all staff. This instructs staff on the procedures to be followed when a potential conflict of interest arises. Staff are reminded of the guidance from time to time.
Any self-reported or otherwise reported private interest, including shareholding, of a member of staff is considered and recorded in order to highlight a potential conflict of interest. If there is potential conflict, appropriate action is taken to avoid it. No record is kept of the number of such reports.
The same arrangements apply to Cadw, the only next steps agency within the Welsh Office.