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Foreign Decorations

Volume 408: debated on Thursday 10 July 2003

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To ask the Prime Minister pursuant to paragraph 86 of the Ministerial Code of Conduct, (a) how many Ministers have accepted decorations from foreign countries since 1 May 1997; (b) if he will make a statement on his policy in respect of this paragraph; and (c) whether he intends to refuse any such decoration offered to him. [119106]

[holding answer 13 June 2003]: Paragraph 86 of the Ministerial Code of Conduct (July 2001) is about the acceptance of air miles. Guidance to Ministers on the acceptance of decorations from foreign countries is set out in paragraph 90 of the Ministerial Code.The Ministerial Code is a code of conduct and guidance on procedures for Ministers.Any offer of a decoration from a foreign state would be considered in the light of that guidance.

As far as I am aware, there is a record of one occasion in 2002 where Angela Smith MP was awarded the Cuban medal of friendship as a member of Parliament in recognition of her work as Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Cuba.