Source · Select Committees · Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee
Recommendation 24
24
Acknowledged
Paragraph: 74
Departments demonstrate lack of consistency and transparency in managing conflicts of interest
Conclusion
We are concerned by the lack of consistency and transparency in how departments manage any real or perceived conflicts of interests. This includes a wide variation in how information is reported in departments’ annual report and accounts and a lack of transparency over non-financial interests.
Government Response Summary
The government agrees that a common and consistent format for registers of board members' interests would be welcome and notes that conflicts should be disclosed and managed internally, with public disclosure periodically via departmental websites.
Paragraph Reference:
74
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
We agree that a common approach and consistent format for departments’ registers of board members’ interests would be welcome. The frequency of publication should be so that it maintains accuracy, but does not become an administrative burden. Within departments, changes in conflicts of interest should be disclosed and managed through the departmental governance as soon as they occur and notified at the start of the next board meeting. Public disclosure can then follow periodically via the departmental website.