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Revised Ministerial Code
18/06/2008
Former Presiding Officers Lord Steel of Aikwood and George Reid have agreed to be independent advisers to the First Minister on the application of the revised Scottish Ministerial Code, which is published and comes into force today.
The First Minister said the revised Code was stronger and clearer than the version he had inherited, and that the introduction of independent advisers marks a real advance in terms of impartiality and the quality of scrutiny.
The First Minister said:
"I am confident that this new Code will do justice to - and will further strengthen - the high standards of conduct and accountability in the Scottish Government.
"For the first time, there will be a panel of past Presiding Officers to guide the First Minister on the application of the Code.
"I am delighted that Lord Steel and George Reid have agreed to serve as members of that panel of independent advisers, who will carry out their role without payment.
"Their integrity is beyond reproach, and their knowledge of Ministerial and parliamentary procedures is unrivalled. And they are undoubtedly independent."
The First Minister added:
"This Government understands that public trust is not simply won for all time. That trust must be continually earned and sustained. So while I was delighted by the recently published results of the Scottish Social Attitudes Survey which showed an increase in people's trust in Government, we are committed to maintaining the highest standards of Ministerial conduct - and of Parliamentary accountability.
"The update to the Code is an important part of that process.
"It is not the only way in which this Government is demonstrating its commitment to accountability. For example, my statement today is the 59th Ministerial statement this Government has made since May - far more than in any year since 1999. And, in the first half of this year alone, we have answered over 7000 parliamentary questions - already close to the same number answered in each full year since 2002.
"It is also why the Scottish Government has just launched Scotland Performs, the first national performance framework for public accountability in Scotland.
"There are significant changes to the Code which reflect our desire for new and better governance in Scotland. The changes I have made all help to ensure that my expectations of my Scottish Ministers are set out more clearly and objectively than has been the case before, and that the Code is more easily understood by members of the public and members of the Parliament."
The key reforms to the Ministerial Code are:
- The introduction of a panel of advisers to which the First Minister can refer matters relating to the Code, where he considers it appropriate
- The Code tightens the rules on the handling of Ministers' private interests. The Permanent Secretary will play a more directive role in determining the course of action Ministers should follow
- The Code removes ambiguity around guidance to Ministers on representing the interests of constituents, and on handling sensitive matters such as planning applications and the granting of energy consents
- The Code sets out how Scottish Ministers will work more openly and constructively with the Parliament, with the support of Parliamentary Liaison Officers
- The Code introduces clearer guidance on the handling of Ministerial gifts. The Scottish Government will henceforth publish a quarterly list of gifts received over the threshold of £140