HC Deb 30 March 1995 vol 257 cc1176-7
11. Mr. Dalyell

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what consideration he is giving to the protection of the reputation of Customs and Excise officers named by the Scott inquiry; and if he will make a statement on the doctrine of ministerial responsibility. [15285]

Mr. Heathcoat-Amory

We shall have to wait and see what conclusions Sir Richard Scott reaches and I do not propose to speculate in advance of the publication of his report.

As was made clear in the evidence of my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to Sir Richard Scott's inquiry, the Government's view on the accountability of Ministers remains as set out in Sir David Maxwell Fyfe's speech to this House on 20 July 1954 on the Crichel Down case.

Mr. Dalyell

Since, in a reference that I sent to the Minister, the late Nicholas Ridley—not exactly the most uncritical admirer of the British civil service—pointed out that the Customs and Excise was due great praise for what it had done on the super-gun, can we be told what has happened to the doctrine of ministerial responsibility?

Mr. Heathcoat-Amory

Nothing has happened to the doctrine of ministerial responsibility. It is true, as the hon. Gentleman has reminded the House, that the late Nicholas Ridley complimented Customs and Excise on its performance in the Iraq super-gun case. That compliment was fully deserved. As for any blame or criticism that may accrue under the Scott inquiry, we must await the publication of the report. However, I remind the hon. Gentleman that I, as a Treasury Minister, am responsible for the overall conduct and performance of Customs and Excise. It is an independent prosecution service and Ministers are not consulted on whether to investigate or prosecute in individual cases.

Mr. Darling

Arising from that, does the Minister accept that the Maxwell Fyfe doctrine has been changed and undermined by the conduct of the Government in the past 16 years? Will he give an undertaking that if he or any other Minister is criticised in the Scott inquiry, he will accept the consequences and resign forthwith?

Mr. Heathcoat-Amory

The answer to the hon. Gentleman's first question is no. In answer to his second question, I repeat that we must await the publication of the report.