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Scottish Ministerial Code

DescriptionA Code of Conduct and Guidance on Procedures for Members of the Scottish Executive and Junior Scottish Ministers
ISBNN/A (Web Only)
Official Print Publication Date
Website Publication DateAugust 15, 2003

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Scottish Ministerial Code

A code of conduct and guidance on procedures for
Members of the Scottish Executive and Junior Scottish Ministers

SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE
August 2003

This document is also available in pdf format (118k)

CONTENTS

Section

Paragraph

1. Ministers

Ministerial Conduct

1.1

2. Ministers and the Executive
The Scottish Executive

2.1

Collective Responsibility

2.2

Cabinet Business

2.6

Cabinet Correspondence

2.9

Ministerial Discussions below the Level of the Cabinet

2.11

Priority of Cabinet Meetings

2.15

Attendance at Meetings of Cabinet Sub-Committees, Delivery Groups and Ad Hoc Groups of Ministers

2.16

Confidentiality of Documents Etc

2.19

The Law Officers

2.22

Civil Legal Proceedings

2.24

3. Ministers and the Parliament

Key Principles

3.1

Commitments to Legislate

3.2

Introduction of Bills

3.3

Parliamentary Statements and other Executive Announcements

3.4

Supply of Publications

3.6

Financial Resolutions

3.7

Ministerial Availability

3.8

Membership of Cross-Party Groups

3.9

Appearing before a Select Committee of the UK Parliament

3.10

4. Ministers and their Responsibilities

Ministerial Responsibilities and Titles

4.1

Ministers' Availability

4.4

Ministerial Parliamentary Aides

4.6

Special Advisers

4.14

Unpaid Advisers

4.15

Royal Commissions and Committees of Inquiry

4.16

Appointments by Ministers

4.17

5. Ministers and Civil Servants

Ministers and the Civil Service

5.1

The Role of the Accountable Officer

5.2

Civil Servants and Party Conferences

5.6

6. Ministers' Electorate and Party Interests

Electorate and Party Interests

6.1

Scottish Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration Cases

6.4

Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration

6.6

Deputations and Representations (including planning cases) General Ministerial Involvement

6.6

Planning Cases: The Planning Minister

6.11

7. Ministers' Visits

Ministers' Visits Overseas

7.1

Visits by Ministers from Foreign or Commonwealth Countries

7.10

Relations with other Governments

7.11

Ministers Recalled from Abroad

7.13

Ministers' Visits in the United Kingdom

7.14

Travel by Ministers

7.16

Public Accountability

7.17

Air Miles Etc

7.20

Travelling Expenses of Spouses

7.21

Travelling Expenses of Special Advisers and Unpaid Advisers

7.22

Offers of Hospitality, Gifts, Etc

7.23

Contact with Commercial Companies

7.25

Foreign Decorations

7.30

8. Ministers and the Presentation of Policy

Use of Official Facilities

8.1

Co-ordination of the Presentation of Executive Policy

8.2

Publication of Executive Policy Documents

8.3

Speeches or other Public Comment

8.6

News Conferences/Broadcasts

8.10

Press Articles

8.13

Books

8.15

Party and other Publications

8.16

Complaints

8.19

Royal Commissions

8.20

9. Ministers' Private Interests

Conflicts of Interest

9.1

Procedure

9.3

Public Appointments

9.6

External Organisations and Groups Etc

9.7

Trade Unions

9.8

Financial Interests

9.9

Nominations for International Awards

9.19

Acceptance of Gifts and Services

9.20

Outgoing Ministers: Acceptance of Appointments Outside the Executive

9.24

10. Ministerial Pensions

Participation in the Scottish Parliamentary Pension Scheme

10.1

Participation in other Pension Schemes

10.4

Annex A: The Seven Principles of Public Life

Note: In this Code:

Ministers are the Scottish Ministers and junior Scottish Ministers
Executive is the Scottish Executive
Cabinet is the Scottish Cabinet
Parliament is the Scottish Parliament
Law Officers are the Lord Advocate and the Solicitor-General for Scotland

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Page updated: Friday, March 31, 2006