§ 22. Norman Baker (Lewes)If he will list the subjects on which Lord Birt has advised the strategy unit in the last six months. [100199]
§ The Minister of State, Cabinet Office (Mr. Douglas Alexander)Lord Birt was appointed by the Prime Minister as an unpaid adviser under paragraph 51 of the ministerial code. His role is to provide the Prime Minister and other Cabinet Ministers with long-term internal strategic analysis and policy thinking.
§ Norman BakerWe need more freedom of information. I asked which subjects Lord Birt was advising on, but the Minister did not give me the answer to that question. Why is what Lord Birt is doing such a secret? Is it that embarrassing?
§ Mr. AlexanderI am well aware of the correspondence between the Prime Minister and the hon. Gentleman about this. I remind him that, in his letter to the hon. Gentleman dated 21 May 2002, the Prime Minister made it clear that Lord Birt provides private internal advice to the Prime Minister and other Cabinet Ministers on a range of issues.
§ Mr. Mark Lazarowicz (Edinburgh, North and Leith)Would my hon. Friend be prepared to ask Lord Birt to advise the strategy unit on Government policy on waste? As he knows, the unit recently suggested that the Cabinet Office should conduct a review of the current 678 division of responsibility between the Department of Trade and Industry and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. If Lord Birt would not be the right person to conduct the review, could the Minister ask someone else to do it on behalf of the Government?
§ Mr. AlexanderTwo distinct issues are inherent in that question, but I will certainly consider how we can best deal with the issues relating to waste.