HC Deb 10 February 1999 vol 325 cc306-7
4. Mr. Simon Hughes (Southwark, North and Bermondsey)

Who will be responsible for the preparation of this year's annual Government report. [68646]

The Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office (Mr. Peter Kilfoyle)

Civil servants.

Mr. Hughes

That is the answer that I expected.

Given that Alastair Campbell and his colleagues in the Downing street communications unit are classed as civil servants, does not the Minister accept that if the Government's annual report—a concept that is welcome—is to have any objective credibility, it should be compiled by the National Audit Office or an independent statistical office, and not by Government spin doctors?

Mr. Kilfoyle

According to the hon. Gentleman's own words, civil servants wrote last year's annual report. Civil servants will continue to write the annual report, which is a first. It is the first time that a Government have set out what they have done, why they have done it and what they intend to do. Incidentally, it is the first time that a Government have pointed out where they have made mistakes. We have informed people at all levels and we shall continue to do so. I very much look forward to the next publication in July.

Mr. Dennis Skinner (Bolsover)

When Liberal Democrat Members are trotting up Whitehall and going through the big gates into Downing street more often than any of us Labour Back Benchers, will my hon. Friend explain why is it that those ragtag and bobtails cannot get the information while they are stuck in there, instead of wasting the time of the House?

Mr. Kilfoyle

As my hon. Friend knows, the hon. Member for Southwark, North and Bermondsey (Mr. Hughes) is one of those at odds with the approach that his leader has taken. Perhaps they are not speaking to each other on these matters.

Sir George Young (North-West Hampshire)

If we are to have another annual report produced at taxpayers' expense, may we have an assurance that, unlike last year's report, the Government will not airbrush out of it any reference to any inconvenient events? May we have an assurance that in next year's annual report there will be references to the recession in manufacturing, to the decline in agricultural incomes, to the raid on pension funds, to council tax increases four times the rate of inflation and, of course, to the Sierra Leone fiasco?

Mr. Kilfoyle

I hate to say so, but the right hon. Gentleman is factually incorrect. For example, last year's annual report referred to the mistake that was made on lone-parent benefits—the Government were big enough and brave enough to own up to it. The next annual report will record the Government's many successes, including the 169 Labour party manifesto commitments, which have, to date, been implemented in part or in whole.