§ Lord Marlesfordasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the model code of conduct in the Parish Councils (Model Code of Conduct) Order 2001 (S.I. 2001/3576) requires parish councillors to give notification of all gifts or hospitality over the value of £25 or whether the requirement for this declaration is limited to such gifts or hospitality which in any way relate to membership of the parish council. [HL2228]
161WA
§ The Minister of State, Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (Lord Falconer of Thoroton)Paragraph 1(2) of the schedule to the Parish Councils (Model Code of Conduct) Order 2001 (SI 2001/3576) makes it clear that the requirement on parish councillors to register gifts and hospitality over the value of £25 applies only to gifts and hospitality which they receive when they conduct the business of the authority, the business of the office to which they have been elected or appointed, or when they are acting as a representative of the authority.
§ Lord Marlesfordasked Her Majesty's Government:
On what basis the requirement on parish councillors to declare gifts and hospitality under the provisions of paragraph 15 of the model code of conduct for parish councils contained in Statutory Instrument 3576 of 2001 is set at £25 rather than the £125 for gifts and £250 for hospitality required under paragraph 5 of the Register of Members' Interests of the House of Commons. [HL2229]
§ Lord Falconer of ThorotonThe decision to require parish councillors to register gifts and hospitality over the value of £25 was taken in the light of responses to the extensive consultation exercise carried out with local councils and others between February and April 2001.