HC Deb 08 July 1998 vol 315 cc566-7W
20. Mr. Gray

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what regulations govern the shareholdings of special advisers to prevent cases of conflict of interest arising. [47938]

Dr. David Clark

Special Advisers—like all civil servants—are required under the terms and conditions of their employment to declare to their department any business interests or shareholdings which they or members of their immediate family hold, which they would be able to further as a result of their official position. They must not be involved in taking any decision which could affect the value of their private investments, or the value of those on which they give advice to others; or use information acquired in the course of their work to advance their private financial interests or those of others.