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Secretary of State |
A Parliamentary Private Secretary (PPS) is a role given to a United Kingdom Member of Parliament (MP) by a senior minister in government or shadow minister to act as their contact for the House of Commons; this role is junior to that of Parliamentary Under-Secretary, which is a ministerial post, salaried by one or more departments.
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Although not paid other than their salary as an MP,[1] PPSs help the government to track backbench opinion in Parliament. They are subject to some restrictions as outlined in the Ministerial Code of the British government:[2]
PPSs can sit on Select Committees but must avoid "associating themselves with recommendations critical of, or embarrassing to the Government", and must not make statements or ask questions on matters affecting their minister's department.[3] As a part of this, the PPS in the Department for Communities and Local Government is prevented from being involved with making planning decisions or in the consideration of planning cases.[4]
PPSs are not members of the government, and all efforts are made to avoid these positions being referred to as such. They are instead considered more simply as normal Members, however their close confidence with ministers does impose obligations on every PPS. The guidelines surrounding the divulging of information to PPSs are rigid.[5]
Ministers choose their own PPS, but must seek the written approval for each candidate from the Prime Minister, and it is traditional procedure to consult the Chief Whip.[6]
PPSs are expected to act as part of the payroll vote, voting in line with the government on every division, and regarded as members of the government for purposes of collective responsibility. Similarly, they must not appear as a representative for any special policies.[7]
When on official Departmental business, PPSs travel and subsistence allowances are paid out of government funds, as with formal members of the government. This makes the PPS the only type of unpaid advisor who receives reimbursement in the course of their duty.[8]
As a last resort for ministers who must pull out of an event for whatever reason, a PPS may stand in for the minister at the event. This will only happen in exceptional circumstances and must be justified by the minister in charge of the department. If this event is overseas it again requires the Prime Minister's consent.[8]
The role of PPS is seen as a starting point for many MPs who are looking to become ministers themselves.[9] In 1963, Professor of Political Science Philip W. Buck at Stanford University published a journal article stating:
After the leaking of party details in emails associated with Desmond Swayne, PPS to David Cameron, a writer of the Thirsk and Malton Labour Party Constituency Blog commented: