APPENDIX 2
MINISTERIAL CODE
A CODE OF CONDUCT AND GUIDANCE ON PROCEDURES
FOR MINISTERS FOREWORD BY THE PRIME MINISTER
In issuing this Code, I should like to reaffirm
my strong personal commitment to restoring the bond of trust between
the British people and their Government. We are all here to serve
and we must all serve honestly and in the interests of those who
gave us our positions of trust.
I will expect all Ministers to work within the
letter and spirit of the Code. Ministers will find the Code a
useful source of guidance and reference as they undertake their
official duties in a way that upholds the highest standards of
propriety.
I have decided to publish this document because
openness is a vital ingredient of good, accountable Government,
and we will extend openness further through a Freedom of Information
Act.
I believe we should be absolutely clear about
how Ministers should account, and be held to account, by Parliament
and the public. The first paragraph of the Code sets out these
responsibilities clearly, following the terms of the House of
Commons Resolution on Ministerial Accountability carried last
March.
I commend the Code to all of my Ministerial
colleagues.
Tony Blair
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