§ 2.43 p.m.
Lord CAMPBELL of CROYMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have reached any decision about the possible extension of the limit of five years for service by tem- 113 porary civil servants since the replies given in the House on 7th June (Hansard, cols. 1229–1231).
§ The LORD PRIVY SEAL (Lord Peart)My Lords, a new Civil Service Order in Council, which came into force on 1st December, clarified the Commission's powers and strengthened their control over recruitment to all permanent appointments. Under this, the great bulk of short-term appointments by Departments now have to satisfy the Commission's open recruitment requirements whereas that was not essential under the previous rules. The new order also established that special advisers will not be required to resign solely on the grounds of having served for five years. Their appointments, which remain limited to the life of the current Administration, are self-evidently not permanent and therefore do not require the certification of the Civil Service Commission.
Lord CAMPBELL of CROYMy Lords, I thank the noble Lord the Lord Privy Seal for his Answer. Since a way now seems to have been found for making short-term appointments permanent in order to cater for the special political advisers, are the Civil Service unions satisfied that the traditional system of entry through the Civil Service Commission's open competition is not being eroded?
§ Lord PEARTNo, my Lords, I cannot accept that. Indeed, noble Lords will understand that the previous Conservative Administration also appointed specialist advisers. I do not think this will alter the character of the Service. As a matter of fact, I do not have a special adviser myself.
Lord CAMPBELL of CROYMy Lords, is the noble Lord aware that none the less no appointment was held for longer than five years, and that this is therefore a significant change? Does the noble Lord remember his replies to questions on 7th June about having a debate in Parliament before such changes were made? In his capacity as Minister for the Civil Service, is he intending to use a Parliamentary opportunity longer than Question Time in order to explain these developments and invite discussion?
§ Lord PEARTMy Lords, I think we can have a discussion through the usual channels. I am quite prepared to have a debate, but I think we must settle it that way.