Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Ethics and Integrity Commission review into lobbying will include a review of the business appointment rules on (i) special advisers and (ii) Ministers; and what plans (a) the Independent Adviser and (b) his Department has to review those rules separately from the Commission.

The EIC’s review into lobbying, disclosure and access to government includes looking at whether the current Business Appointment Rules are sufficient, in particular in respect of managing potentially improper access to, and influence within, government. The Business Appointment Rules apply to Ministers and Crown Servants at all levels, including special advisers.

As the terms of reference set out, in undertaking this review it will be important for the EIC to seek views from stakeholders, including the Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards.

The Government will then publish the Review’s findings and present the Government’s response to Parliament