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Office of the Deputy Prime Minister

Answer

Mr. Drew: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the personal indemnity of members and officers of local authorities; and what plans he has to change the Government advice on such indemnity. [194281] Mr. Raynsford: A draft order on indemnities for relevant authority members and officers was considered by Committee on 20 October 2004 and approved by the whole House on 25 October 2004. It is awaiting consideration in the other place. The order would permit (but not oblige) authorities to provide indemnities and insurance that would provide "cover" for a member or officer: if the member or officer had acted honestly and in good faith when taking the action giving rise to the liability if the authority was found to have acted ultra vires, but at the point at which the member or officer acted that member or officer honestly and reasonably believed that the action or advice giving rise to the liability was intra vires the authority; to cover the costs incurred by a member in relation to defence of proceedings under the Code of Conduct but limited to cases in which the member is found not to have breached the code. Copies of the draft order are available in the House Library.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

194281; 425 c1322-3W

Session

2003-04

Subjects

Codes of practice Councillors Conduct Liability Insurance Local government Staff

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk