§ Lord Harris of Haringeyasked Her Majesty's Government:
What arrangements they plan to make for the appointment of Special Advisers following devolution for Scotland and Wales. [HL1530]
§ The Lord Privy Seal (Baroness Jay of Paddington)An amendment has been made to the Civil Service Order in Council to allow for the appointment of a limited number of Special Advisers to Ministers in the Scottish Parliament and Assembly Secretaries in the National Assembly for Wales. The amendment takes account of the new ministerial arrangements that will apply in Scotland and Wales following devolution, and sets out the terms and conditions under which they can be employed including an upper limit on the numbers that can be appointed. A copy of the amended order has been placed in the Libraries of the House.