Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what his Department's policy is on the (a) employment and (b) involvement in any Ministry of Defence contracts of (i) spouses of Members of Parliament, (b) spouses of Ministers and (c) the spouse of the Prime Minister.

Civil Servants are appointed on merit on the basis of fair and open competition and are expected to carry out their role with dedication and a commitment to the Civil Service and its core values: integrity, honesty, objectivity and impartiality.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) requires all Crown servants to make their line manager or Commanding Officer aware of any potential conflict of interest that arises during their service. The MOD requires the line manager or Commanding Officer to work with the Crown servant to take appropriate action to ensure that an actual conflict of interest does not take place.

In accordance with the Ministerial Code, on appointment to each new office, Ministers must provide their Permanent Secretary with a full list in writing of all interests which might be thought to give rise to a conflict. The list should also cover interests of the Minister's spouse or partner and close family which might be thought to give rise to a conflict.