Question reference: S5W-14470
- Asked by: Ben Macpherson, MSP for Edinburgh Northern and Leith, Scottish National Party
- Date lodged: 7 February 2018
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Current status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Joe FitzPatrick on 8 February 2018
Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether the First Minister plans to publish a new edition of the Scottish Ministerial Code.
Answer
The 2018 edition of the Scottish Ministerial Code will be published today. The Code, which was last revised in August 2016, provides a code of conduct and guidance on procedures for members of the Scottish Government and Junior Scottish Ministers. A copy of the 2018 edition of the Code may be found on the Scottish Government’s website at: www.gov.scot/isbn/9781788515757. As well as some minor updates, the Code has been amended in line with the January 2018 edition of the UK Ministerial Code: in particular, there are explicit references to: inappropriate, bullying or harassing behaviour; the requirement on Ministers to report meetings to their Private Offices, including meetings held overseas; and the role of the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments. In addition, a new paragraph 4.25 reflects the provisions of the Lobbying (Scotland) Act 2016.