Written question asked by Lord Mann (Labour) on Thursday, 22 May 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 3 June 2003. It was answered by David Lammy (Labour) on Tuesday, 3 June 2003 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what his policy is on a chair of a council health scrutiny committee who is paid for this role also being a paid member of a health trust that he or she is scrutinising.

Answer: John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his policy is on a chair of a council health scrutiny committee who is paid for this role also being a paid member of a health trust that he or she is scrutinising. [116720] Mr. Lammy: Committees must take steps to avoid any conflict of interest arising from members' involvement in the bodies or decisions that they are scrutinising. A councillor who is also a non-executive director of a National Health Service body is not excluded from membership of a committee's scrutiny of that NHS body. However, councillors in this position must follow the local authority protocols regarding participation where there is a risk of conflict of interest. Where such a risk is identified, they should consult their monitoring officer for advice on their involvement.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 116720; 406 c366W
Session: 2002-03
Subjects: Accountability Councillors Conflict of interests Health services Local government NHS NHS trusts Standards Overview and scrutiny committees
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk