§ Mr. HealdTo ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office (1) what recent representations he has received regarding the need for legislation to protect the independence of the civil service; [159577]
(2) what progress has been made on the Government's commitment to bring forward legislation to protect the impartiality of the Civil Service in this parliamentary session; [159578]
(3) what recent representations he has received on establishing a Civil Service commission in statute. [159581]
§ Mr. AlexanderI refer the hon. Gentleman to my statement of 21 January 2004,Official Report,columns 1341–349. In addition, the Public Administration Select Committee published its proposals for a Civil Service Bill on 5 January 2004. I am also aware of the debate that took place on this issue in the other place on 5 March 2004, Official Report,columns 889–934.
§ Mr. HealdTo ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what the annual change in the number of Civil Service employees was in each year since 1997–98; and if he will make a statement. [159579]
§ Mr. AlexanderThe information requested is published annually in Civil Service Statistics, copies of which are available in the Libraries of the House and at www .civil-service. gov.uk/statistics