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<p>I refer the Hon Member to <a href="https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-statements/detail/2021-12-16/hcws500"
target="_blank">HCWS500</a>.</p><p> </p><p>The Government has set out that a policy
statement in response to the Upholding Standards in Public Life Report from the Committee
on Standards in Public Life and the review into the development and use of Supply
Chain Finance in government by Nigel Boardman will be published in due course.</p><p>
</p><p>Ministers and Permanent Secretaries are responsible for ensuring compliance
with internal and external requirements in their departments in line with legislation,
the relevant Codes of Conduct and requirements of Managing Public Money. They are
supported by legal, HR and finance professionals in discharging these obligations.
The Cabinet Office and HM Treasury provide a coordination role across such functions
and can provide advice and guidance in specific cases.</p><p> </p><p>Direct Ministerial
appointments reflect the successive practice of administrations in engaging eminent
individuals to provide independent views and advice to Government on specific areas.
Such appointments should, by nature, be flexible to the circumstances of the situation
and in line with wider public law duties. Appointments are made by Ministers. Appointees
must abide by the Seven Principles of Public Life and the Code of Conduct for Board
Members of Public Bodies, and should ensure that any relevant interests are declared
to the Senior Civil Servant sponsoring their work to ensure that no actual or reasonably
perceived conflicts arise.</p><p> </p><p>Departments are responsible for their own
transparency releases as they hold the information required to generate them and must
take steps to ensure the accuracy of the information. The Cabinet Office provides
central guidance to ensure consistency of information.</p><p> </p>
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