§ Pete WishartTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many times he has visited Scotland on official duties each year since 2000; and what meetings were held on each occasion. [103596]
§ Mr. Andrew SmithSince my appointment as Secretary of State, I have visited Scotland once in 2002 and once this year. As the hon. Member will be aware, my predecessor my right hon. Friend the Member for Edinburgh, Central (Mr. Darling) resides in Scotland.
In line with exemptions 2 and 7 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information, it is not the normal practice of Governments to release details of specific meetings or their content, as some of these discussions may have taken place on a confidential basis.
§ Pete WishartTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many special advisers in the Department(a) have left and (b) will be leaving to work in Scotland for the Labour Party in the forthcoming Scottish parliamentary elections. [103597]
§ Mr. McCartneyThe rules relating to special advisers' political activities are set out in the Model Contract for Special Advisers. Further guidance in respect of elections for the Scottish Parliament is set out at paragraph 13 of the Guidance on Conduct for Civil Servants in UK Departments, published by the Cabinet Office on 10 March.
The reasons for a special adviser's resignation are a private matter between the Department and adviser, and are therefore exempt from disclosure under paragraph 12 of the Code of Practice on Access to Information.