§ Mr. FatchettTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list and date those occasions over the last two years when Ministers or officials in his Department have met lobbying companies, prior to a decision being made on the subject of the meeting with the lobbying company.
§ Mr. HagueThe information is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
§ Mr. FatchettTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the guidelines issued by his Department to regulate relationships with lobbying companies.
§ Mr. HagueThe Department follows the guidelines in "Questions of Procedure for Ministers". The conditions of service for the staff of this Department incorporate the general principles of conduct that require civil servants not to misuse information which they acquire in the course of their duties; not to make use of their official position to further their private interests or those of others; and not to receive gifts, hospitality or benefits of any kind from a third party, which might be seen to compromise their personal judgment or integrity.