§ Mr. TyrieTo ask the Prime Minister what has been the cost to public funds of official secretarial support to unpaid advisers; and from what source these sums are met. [12524]
§ The Prime MinisterUnpaid special advisers may have access to departmental typing facilities. In practice, only one unpaid adviser currently has requested access to typing facilities and this is being provided from a shared resource with other special advisers. It is not possible to distinguish the precise cost to departmental resources of this support to the unpaid adviser.
§ Mr. TyrieTo ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 22 July,Official Report, columns 556–57, if Ministers with unpaid advisers have procured a list of private concerns for each relevant adviser and a list of issues on which conflict with those concerns may arise. [12520]
§ The Prime MinisterYes. Ministers and their unpaid advisers are required before any appointment is confirmed to ensure that no conflict arises, or appears to arise, between their public duties and of their private interests.
§ Mr. TyrieTo ask the Prime Minister if the notification of the Prime Minister prior to appointments of unpaid advisers constitutes approval by the Prime Minister of each appointment. [12521]
§ The Prime MinisterBefore agreeing to the appointment of an unpaid adviser, the appointing Minister has to satisfy me that the appointment is necessary, and860W that arrangements have been put in place to ensure that no conflict arises, or appears to arise, between their public duties and any of their private interests.
§ Mr. TyrieTo ask the Prime Minister (1) if unpaid advisers have been or may be subject to positive vetting; and who pays for the vetting; [12522]
(2) if a ministerial instruction is needed in each case before an unpaid adviser may see classified papers; and if unpaid advisers who have not been positively vetted are permitted to see papers normally seen only by officials and advisers who have been positively vetted. [12523]
§ The Prime MinisterIt is for the appointing Minister to determine the papers to which an unpaid adviser may have access. If this involves access to classified papers, then the adviser will be subject to appropriate vetting clearance, the cost of which will be met from the relevant departmental budget.