Speeches by Lamb.

“It is the mechanism for ensuring that the statistical part is protected that I am really inquiring about. One of the concerns that this Committee has had, or that some of its members have had, talking to you and to your colleagues in regulatory roles over the last year and a half, has been that it seems that much of ou…”

“This Committee has dealt with various questions around the ministerial code over the last year and a half, including at the request of the Speaker. The ministerial code is, of course, the Prime Minister’s own code that he sets out. It is within his power to modify or enforce it. In order for it to be something that Min…”

“There are no safeguards in dealing with others. If I was to start spouting off statistics that I had made up or was misquoting, whereas a Minister would be subject to being required to comply with the ministerial code, it does not have a level playing field there for the Government compared to other individuals in publ…”

“Should there be greater regulation in this area for other public officeholders rather than simply Members of the Government?”

“It is the mechanism for ensuring that the statistical part is protected that I am really inquiring about. One of the concerns that this Committee has had, or that some of its members have had, talking to you and to your colleagues in regulatory roles over the last year and a half, has been that it seems that much of ou…”

“This Committee has dealt with various questions around the ministerial code over the last year and a half, including at the request of the Speaker. The ministerial code is, of course, the Prime Minister’s own code that he sets out. It is within his power to modify or enforce it. In order for it to be something that Min…”

“Immediately, yes. Given that poor advice has previously been given by the Department to the Secretary of State, is it not time to pause and reconsider the evidence base for local government reform?”

“I have great respect for the Secretary of State; I believe that he is one of the finest Ministers on this Government’s Front Bench, and I have great sympathy for him. The reality is that at times, we have all been presented with advice that has proven to be poor. Frankly, the reality that a lot of us are aware of is th…”

“Reference has been made to co-producing this with local government. If it is a nationally implemented standard, how do you feel that would work in practice?”

“Of course, membership of the LGA is voluntary.”

“The Committee has not been aware of that task and finish group before. How long has the group been running?”

“At various points you have alluded to the potential need for a minimum code, and the LGA has set out its desire for one. Who would be the best author and owner of that code?”

“Lastly, can I ask you to what extent officials feel they need that code of conduct to be decided and enforced at a national level? What level of local flexibility do you feel there should be for local officials?”

“Can I ask how SOLACE would view the idea of having this minimum standard, where you feel it should be produced, and that balance between national and local?”

“Do you feel that Government or NALC or some other organisation should be responsible for producing it?”

“In terms of NALC, your organisation has already said that you are interested in having a minimum code. Who would you think was the best person to produce it, and how would you achieve that balance between national and local design?”

“In terms of identifying this new minimum standard, a minimum standard could always be exceeded on the local level. In terms of the balance between trying to have things with local flexibility, versus a single national standard around determining that scheme, owning it, and enforcing it, where do you feel ownership for …”

“That might be why it is not necessarily in the paperwork. What instigated it?”

“But you are only six weeks in. What stage have you reached in that process?”

“When is the Bill likely to be introduced?”