Wednesday 18th November 2020

(4 years, 1 month ago)

Lords Chamber
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Lord Bethell Portrait Lord Bethell (Con)
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My Lords, the very large number of advisers, both paid and unpaid, were all processed by the department and their paperwork was then handed on to the Cabinet Office for approval. George Pascoe-Watson, as others, was sent both a declaration of interest form, which he filled in and is on record, and a volunteer agreement, which has the Official Secrets Act built into it. His work was covered by that.

Baroness Smith of Newnham Portrait Baroness Smith of Newnham (LD) [V]
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My Lords, could the Minister tell the House whether the Government’s anti-corruption champion, John Penrose MP, has been involved in looking at any conflicts of interest or whether he is in danger of having a conflict of interest himself?

Lord Bethell Portrait Lord Bethell (Con)
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I am not aware of him being involved in the work to which the noble Baroness refers.