§ Mr. LetwinTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what meetings (i) he and (ii) his Ministers have held since 1 May 1997 with representatives of(a) GPC Market Access, (b) Lawson Lucas Mendelsohn and (c) GJW Government Relations; and if he will make a statement. [49700]
§ Mr. Dewar[holding answer 9 July 1998]: Ministers, their Special Advisers and other civil servants meet many people in the course of their work. This properly includes meetings with interest groups outside Government; indeed, one of the specific functions of Special Advisers is to liaise with such interest groups. This liaison is intended to help Ministers draw upon outside contributions—from academics, think-tanks, trade and industry associations, trade unions, lobby groups and others, as well as relevant experience from other 668W countries—during the process of policy analysis and development. By convention it is not the practice of governments to make information on such meeting or their content publicly available—a principle reflected in the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information published in January 1997. Special Advisers and other civil servants must observe the requirements of propriety: for instance, they must not provide confidential information without authorisation or allow improper influence on policy. Any breach of these requirements could be a disciplinary offence.
§ Mr. Gordon PrenticeTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list those individuals who are not hon. Members or civil servants currently serving on review bodies and task forces set up since May 1997 whose appointment was promoted or canvassed for by(a) GPC Market Access, (b) LLM, (c) GJW and (d) other professional lobbying organisations. [49779]
§ Mr. DewarI refer my hon. Friend to the answer given today,Official Report, columns 641–42, by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister.