§ 8. Norman Baker (Lewes)When he expects the civil service Bill to be published; and if he will ensure that it includes measures to reinforce civil service impartiality. [40124]
§ The Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office (Mr. Christopher Leslie)The Government are committed to introducing civil service legislation and to maintaining an impartial civil service. Any legislative programme will be announced in the normal way.
§ Norman BakerDid the Minister read the comments in The Times today of Jonathan Baume, the leader of our senior civil service union? He warned that the civil service is being undermined by Ministers through the drip-feed of unattributable leaks and that it is being politicised by stealth. Does the Minister agree that we need to take action to ensure that the impartiality of the civil service is not further undermined? Will he begin by rescinding the powers that have been given to special advisers Alastair Campbell and Jonathan Powell to issue instructions to impartial civil servants?
§ Mr. LeslieThe hon. Gentleman should not believe everything he reads in the newspapers. We have always emphasised our commitment to a permanent, impartial civil service of the highest standard as a cornerstone of the British constitution. It is about time that we heard more tributes and less criticism of the civil service, which is helping the Government to deliver our public service reforms, as well as economic prosperity and policies such as the national minimum wage. Our goal is to have an Administration who deliver results and we want to bring in the best people to help to implement our policies.
§ Sir Patrick Cormack (South Staffordshire)Will the Bill contain a clause restricting the number of special advisers in any one Department, and will it also define precisely what their role should be?
§ Mr. LeslieAs we said before the Select Committee on Public Administration, we are minded to consider questions such as a cap on the number of special advisers. All those matters will be dealt with in future consultation. I understand that the Cabinet Secretary will make a speech on the issue shortly.