§ Mr. AltonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his policy towards the receiving of commission payments by(a) civil servants, (b) members of the government, (c) hon. Members and (d) relatives of hon. Members involved in the sale of arms to overseas governments; and if he will make a statement. [17548]
§ Mr. FreemanMOD civil servants are bound by departmental instructions which forbid them to make use of their official position to further their private interests or lay themselves open to suspicion of dishonesty. Furthermore the acceptance of a gift or other consideration by a Crown servant as an inducement or reward can be a criminal offence.
Members of the Government are hound by "Questions of Procedure for Ministers" which states that no Minister or member of a Minister's family should accept gifts which might place him or her under an obligation.
I cannot answer for other Members of the House or their relatives.