§ Mr. Martyn JonesTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food which of the companies in which civil servants in his Department are directors have given money to political parties in the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [29251]
§ Mr. BoswellDetails of contributions to political parties by companies are given in companies' accounts. Whether a particular company has or has not made a contribution to any political party is not taken into account when deciding whether appointments are suitable.
§ Mr. JonesTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make it his policy to ensure that civil servants from his Department who sit on the boards of food and agricultural companies are removed from official duties in areas of work in which those companies have a trading interest; and if he will make a statement. [29255]
§ Mr. BoswellThe position of staff holding non-executive directorships or similar appointments is safeguarded by the general requirement binding on all civil servants that they must not take part in activities which might conflict with the interests of their Department, or impair their usefulness as public servants, or be inconsistent with their position as such.
Civil servants acting as directors remain subject to the Official Secrets Acts and the need to preserve the confidentiality of departmental business and information received in confidence from others. In relation to any particular appointment, individuals and their line managers must consider whether there is a present or potential conflict of interest, including whether their duties are in areas of work in which the company has a trading interest. If appropriate, an appointment may not be proceeded with, or restrictions may be placed on the kinds of discussion that the individual can take part in.
§ Mr. JonesTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what costs his Department has paid in respect of liabilities incurred by civil servants or directors of companies; and if he will make a statement. [29250]
§ Mr. BoswellI am not aware of any departmental civil servant holding a non-executive directorship or non-executive appointment being subject to legal 505W proceedings or threatened legal proceedings in respect of his or her non-executive role; or of any other liability on behalf of civil servants or directors.
It was agreed in 1991 to allow Departments to indemnify civil servants in non-executive roles because the civil liabilities associated with such appointments might have deterred civil servants from taking up these opportunities.