Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the Government's policy is on appointing (a) sitting hon. Members and (b) Peers as non-executive board members of Departments.

Appointments of non-executive directors to departmental boards are regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments and are made in compliance with the Governance Code on Public Appointments. Board members are also bound by the Code of Conduct for Board Members of Public Bodies.

There is no automatic bar in the Governance Code or Code of Conduct to a Member or Peer taking up a public appointment, though I note that the Modernisation Committee will be looking at the issue of MPs and second jobs.

However, as with all appointments, full consideration would need to be given to any potential conflicts of interest and whether they call into question the individual’s ability to perform the role.