HL Deb 04 February 1999 vol 596 cc222-3WA
Lord Tebbit

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether it is compatible with Ministerial Codes of Conduct for one Minister to owe substantial sums of money to another; and [HL557]

Whether they regard unethical conduct in the private lives of Ministers as likely to impair their ability to conduct ethical public policy on behalf of the Government. [HL558]

Baroness Jay of Paddington

The Ministerial Code makes clear that Ministers will want to order their affairs so that no conflict arises or is thought to arise between their private interests (financial or otherwise) and their public duties.

Lord Tebbit

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How listeners and viewers are expected to distinguish which views expressed in broadcasts by Ministers are personal views, which are not Government policy and which represent Government policy; and [HL602]

Whether it is their policy that Ministers being interviewed in their official capacity should mix personal and official views without distinction. [HL603]

Baroness Jay of Paddington

Ministers' responsibilities in relation to media interviews are set out in Section 8 of the Ministerial Code.