HC Deb 27 June 1978 vol 952 c463W
Mr. Nicholas Winterton

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what steps he has taken and will take to ensure that the likelihood of the commission of errors by civil servants, such as that committed by Sir Robert Cox, chief executive of the Property Services Agency, decreases.

Mr. Charles R. Morris

Errors by accounting officers in evidence to the Public Accounts Committee are, I am glad to say, extremely rare. Civil servants who give evidence to Committees of the House are, I am sure, well aware of the serious responsibility involved.

Mr. Nicholas Winterton

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what steps he has taken and will take to ensure that when civil servants commit errors, the errors are disclosed and are speedily rectified.

Mr. Charles R. Morris

It follows from the general principles governing the efficient conduct of public business that, wherever possible, any significant errors are rectified and as appropriate disclosed as soon as they are discovered.