§ Mr. Campbell-SavoursTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on what occasions(a) Ministers and (b) officials have refused to (i) arrange and (ii) attend meetings with hon. Members to discuss matters relating to interests registered by those hon. Members under categories 1, 2, 3, 4(b), 8 and 9 in the Register of Members' Interests. [8113]
§ Dr. Jack CunninghamThe first report from the Committee on Standards in Public Life (Cm 2850) made it clear that, when Members are meeting Ministers or others on topics in which they have an interest, the onus is on the Member to declare that interest, not the Minister to knowparagraph 63 of Cm 2850). It is not practicable for Ministers and officials, among their other duties, to vet requests for meetings against the Register of Members' Interests.
§ Mr. Campbell-SavoursTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will ensure that(a) Ministers and (b) officials in his Department refuse requests from hon. Members to (i) arrange and (ii) attend meetings relating to interests held by those hon. Members under categories 1, 2, 3, 4(b), 8 and 9 in the Register of Members' Interests. [8110]
§ Dr. CunninghamThe first report from the Committee on Standards in Public Life, Cm 2850 recognised the value of enabling Members to retain interests outside the House, provided that these were properly declared, both in the Register of Members' Interests and on other occasions. Subject to these requirements, and to the rules of the House relating to delegations to Ministers, Members are free to seek meetings with Ministers and officials, who will consider such requests alongside the many other approaches from individuals and organisations concerned to press their own interests or those of others.