Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether the provisions in the Public Office (Accountability) Bill will apply to (a) town and (b) parish councillors.

The Public Office (Accountability) Bill reforms abolish the common law offence of misconduct in public office and introduce two new offences: seriously improper acts and breach of duty to prevent death or serious injury. These new offences apply to elected officials, including town and parish councillors.