The Ministerial Code Improving the Rule Book : Report Together with the Proceedings of the Committee and Appendices

The Committee recommends that the Ministerial Code should be given constitutional status but recognises that the Prime Minister is the final judge of ministerial conduct and performance. However this does not preclude accountability and there should be an annual meeting with the Liaison Committee where the working of the Code could be examined. The remit of the parliamentary Commissioner for Standards should be expanded to include advice to ministers on the Code and the Parliamentary Ombudsman should be empowered to investigate alleged breaches of the Code. It is also recommended that the Code be amended in respect of contact with lobyists and the announcement of Government policy.