§ Andrew GeorgeTo ask the Prime Minister (1) if he will list the names of people within the Honours Nomination and Ceremonial Units who(a) make 205W decisions,(b) make recommendations, and(c) are regularly consulted in respect of gallantry and honours awards; [80757]
(2) who appoints members of(a) the Honours Nomination Unit and(b) the Ceremonial Unit; [80760]
(3) what efforts the Government makes to assure the country of the accountability and balance of the numbers and decisions made by(a) the Honours Nomination Unit and(b) the Ceremonial Awards Unit. [80759]
§ The Prime MinisterI am responsible for recommending civilian gallantry and honours awards to Her Majesty The Queen. The George Cross Committee recommends gallantry awards to me. The Committee is chaired by the Head of the Home Civil Service; its other members are The Queen's Private Secretary and my appointments Secretary. The Secretary of the Committee puts forward recommendations to the Committee.
For honours, I am assisted by assessment committees, whose members include outside experts as well as civil servants. The membership of these committees has remained confidential as under successive administrations. These committees make careful and informed judgements on the merits of all cases put to them. Lists of awards made are published in the London Gazette and are usually fully described in the media.
The Ceremonial Secretariat incorporates both the Honours Unit and the Nominations Unit. The Secretariat is headed by a senior civil servant, Gay Catto, who is supported by a team of civil servants within the Cabinet Office.