§ Mr. BeithTo ask the Prime Minister (1) if he will set out the circumstances in which he considers it acceptable for major policy changes not to be first announced in the House in accordance with the Ministerial Code of Conduct; [43371]
(2) on how many occasions since 8 January the No. 10 Press Office has, in accordance with paragraph 88 of the Ministerial Code of Conduct, authorised initial announcements of (a) Government White Papers and (b) other major policy changes outside the House; and if he will make a statement. [43370]
§ The Prime MinisterIndividual Ministers are responsible for determining the timing and form of individual announcements taking account of the requirements of the Ministerial Code.
§ Mr. BurnsTo ask the Prime Minister (1) which Minister is responsible for the enforcement of the Ministerial Code of 2001; [43843]
(2) to whom complaints about breaches of the Ministerial Code should be made; [43842]
§ Mr. ChopeTo ask the Prime Minister how many breaches of the Ministerial Code there have been since July 2001. [43839]
§ The Prime MinisterSection 1 of the Ministerial Code makes it clear that Ministers are personally responsible for deciding how to act and conduct themselves in the light of the Code and for justifying their actions and conduct in Parliament. It also sets out Ministers' responsibilities in relation to alleged breaches of the Ministerial Code.
§ Mr. ChopeTo ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 12 March 2002, ref 42839, for what reason Ministers' responsibilities in relation to the public do not specify giving accurate and truthful information outside Parliament. [43838]
§ The Prime MinisterMinisters are personally responsible for deciding how to act and conduct themselves in the light of the Ministerial Code and for justifying their actions and conduct in Parliament.