§ Lord Lester of Herne Hillasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they remain in favour of a Civil Service Act to bring the Civil Service more directly under the oversight of Parliament; if not, why not; and if so, what are the reasons for the continuing delay in publishing a discussion paper on the proposal; and [HL4197]
Whether they consider that it would be desirable to introduce a Civil Service Bill on the lines proposed by the Cabinet Secretary, Sir Richard Wilson, in his speech of 26 March. [HL4198]
§ The Minister for the Cabinet Office and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Lord Macdonald of Tradeston)The Government's position on legislation for the Civil Service is as set out in their submission to the Committee on Standards in Public Life, copies of which are in the Libraries of the House.