R14-5

Public bodies should routinely publish information about all significant meetings and hospitality involving external attempts to influence a public policy decision. This should include significant contact (including private meetings) where a specific matter is raised which has a bearing on official business. The published information should include dates of meetings, details of attendees and meaningful descriptors of subject-matter. It should normally be published within one month on a relevant website in an easily accessible format. In the case of central government, the disclosure arrangements should cover special advisers and senior civil servants as well as Ministers, Permanent Secretaries and Departmental Boards. Public office holders who are outside the scope of the Freedom of Information Act (including Members of Parliament, Peers and Councillors) should be encouraged to disclose the same information and consideration should be given to including this in relevant Codes of Conduct.