Charter Marks (Hansard, 19 July 1993)

§ 23. Mr. Bates
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many charter marks have been awarded since the inception of the scheme.

§ The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Mr. William Waldegrave)
In 1992, the first year of the scheme, 36 charter marks were awarded to a wide range of public sector organisations which had demonstrated the highest standard of service to their customers. This year, the charter unit has received 411 applications, over 100 more than last year. Up to 100 awards will be made.

§ Mr. Bates
I am grateful for that answer, but does my right hon. Friend agree that the quality of charter mark applications is every bit as important as the quantity? Therefore, will he tell us whether the quality of applications has increased over the past year and. if so, whether first-class applications, such as that made by the South Tees Benefits Agency in my constituency, have contributed to that welcome fact?

§ Mr. Waldegrave
I happen to know that that application is before my colleagues in the Department and it will be judged along with the rest. My hon. Friend is right. As the scheme has become better understood, there has been an increase in the quality of applications and I welcome that and congratulate those involved.

§ Ms Mowlam
In a week that I believe marks the second anniversary of the citizens charter, will the Minister comment on the validity of the charter marks, as well as his ability to deliver openness in central Government machinery—a subject on which he produced a White paper last week—given that his integrity as a Minister has been seriously put in question by the evidence produced last week that he misled the House over the Matrix Churchill affair?

§ Madam Speaker
Order. I ask the hon. Lady to withdraw what she has said. No Minister misled the House.

§ Ms Mowlam
I will withdraw the question on the Minister's integrity. However, I would like him to explain—

§ Madam Speaker
Order. I have asked the hon. Lady to withdraw her statement that the Minister has misled the House.

§ Ms Mowlam
I will withdraw the statement that the Minister misled the House.
May I ask the Minister instead whether he considers the evidence that came to light last week a contradiction to his job as Minister with responsibility for open government?

§ Mr. Waldegrave
The hon. Lady asked about charter marks and I am happy to answer that question. Charter marks are welcomed widely in the public sector and are helping to represent the congratulations of the House and the British people on the high standards that are found in much of the public sector. On her latter point, I hope that the hon. Lady, who I am sure is a fair-minded person, will wait for the full evidence before making political capital out of important matters.