Fast Stream Ethics & Civil Service Values 3

Question 1

Under the UK constitutional convention of ministerial responsibility, to whom are civil servants ultimately accountable?

Accepted Answer

To Parliament through their ministers

Answer

Directly to the Prime Minister and the Cabinet Office

Answer

To the Civil Service Commission independently

Answer

To the National Audit Office as auditors of public spending

Question 2

The 'duty of honesty' in the Civil Service Code means a civil servant must do which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Not deceive or knowingly mislead ministers, Parliament, or others they deal with

Answer

Share all information they hold with any member of the public who requests it

Answer

Provide a written record of every conversation with a minister or special adviser

Answer

Confirm all professional qualifications are genuine when first appointed

Question 3

What does the Bribery Act 2010 require regarding overseas facilitation payments made by civil servants?

Accepted Answer

Such payments are generally prohibited, even if they reflect local business custom

Answer

Such payments are acceptable if they are standard practice in the country concerned

Answer

Civil servants may make payments below £250 without formal approval

Answer

Payments are permitted if explicitly requested by a foreign government official

Question 4

What does the 'Business Appointment Rules' process require of civil servants who are leaving public service?

Accepted Answer

They must seek approval before taking up certain private sector roles within a specified period

Answer

They must inform HMRC of their change of employment status within 48 hours

Answer

They must return all government property including system access within 24 hours

Answer

They must sign a statutory declaration confirming they have not retained any official documents

Question 5

Which of the following best describes 'accountability' as one of the Nolan Principles?

Accepted Answer

Holders of public office must submit themselves to appropriate scrutiny of their decisions

Answer

All government expenditure must be approved by the National Audit Office in advance

Answer

Civil servants should always defer to the most senior person present in a meeting

Answer

Civil servants must publicly account for any errors in the departmental annual report

Question 6

A civil servant discovers that a colleague has been misusing government IT resources for personal financial gain. What is the most appropriate action under the Civil Service Code?

Accepted Answer

Report the matter through the department's internal reporting or whistleblowing procedure

Answer

Confront the colleague directly and give them an opportunity to stop on their own

Answer

Do nothing unless the misuse is directly affecting the civil servant's own work

Answer

Seek anonymous legal advice from an external solicitor before taking any action internally

Question 7

What is the primary purpose of the Seven Principles of Public Life in the context of civil service ethics?

Accepted Answer

To set out the ethical standards expected of all those who hold public office

Answer

To provide a legally binding code enforced through criminal prosecution

Answer

To replace the Civil Service Code with a simpler framework for all public servants

Answer

To define the minimum qualifications required for senior civil service appointments