Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment he has made of the potential for conflict of interest between John Manzoni's non-executive directorship of SAB Miller and his post as Chief Executive of the Civil Service.

John Manzoni declared his interests to Cabinet Office officials. It was agreed he could retain his non-executive directorship of SABMiller, which he is doing in his own time on an unpaid basis and which comes to an end in Summer 2015.

As chief Executive of the Civil Service, John Manzoni has no involvement in any aspect of alcohol policy and there is therefore no conflict of interest.

We have received a number of representations welcoming this appointment.