Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government which existing codes of ethical or professional conduct they obtained and considered when preparing clause 10 of the Public Office (Accountability) Bill; and whether they will place copies of, or links to, those codes in the Library of the House.

The provisions set out in the Bill have been developed on the basis of the Seven Principles of Public Life (the Nolan Principles). Codes must be used to drive ethical behaviour in a public authority and to be embedded in all aspects of their organisation’s work - the delivery of public services.

Public authorities will be required to take steps to make their staff aware of the Code and the consequences of failing to comply with it. Public authorities are required to publish their respective Code of Ethical Conduct.