§ Mr. Campbell-SavoursTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster 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 Members under categories 1, 2, 3, 4(b), 8 and 9 in the Register of Members' Interests. [8066]
§ Dr. David Clark[pursuant to his reply 17 July 1997, 332]: The 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 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.