Question reference: S5W-35573
- Asked by: Neil Findlay, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
- Date lodged: 26 February 2021
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Current status: Answered by Michael Russell on 9 March 2021
Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether a failure to record meetings with lobbyists and/or companies in a minister's diary is a breach of sections 4.22 to 4.25 of the Scottish Ministerial Code.
Answer
As set out in paragraph 10.18 of the Scottish Ministerial Code, a monthly list of engagements carried out by all Ministers is published three months in arrears. Detailed arrangements for recording contacts with external organisations and individuals, including outside interest groups and lobbyists, are set out in paragraphs 4.22 to 4.24 of the Code, and paragraphs 9.27 to 9.31 provide further guidance on contact with commercial companies. Ministers attach the highest priority to complying with their obligations under the Code.