§ Mr. Matthew TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what procedures exist in his Department for a civil servant to report actions which(a) are illegal, improper, or unethical, (b) are in breach of constitutional 601W convention or a professional code, (c) may involve possible maladministration and (d) are otherwise inconsistent with the civil service code. [135460]
§ Ms StuartThe Department is committed to achieving the highest possible standards of service and ethical standards in public life in all of its practices. The civil service code enables all civil servants to report their concerns to, among others, their senior manager, the Departmental security officer or the Civil Service Commissioners. In addition the Department will shortly introduce a "whistleblowing" policy covering disclosures by staff of malpractice, illegal acts or serious omissions of duty at work. The policy has been developed in line with the best practice advised by the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998. It enables staff to raise—at an early stage and in the right way—any concerns they may have about activities within the Department.