HC Deb 06 February 1984 vol 53 cc433-4W
Mr. Foulkes

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the powers he exercises, and functions he can carry out, without any specific Parliamentary approval.

Mr. Hayhoe

The provisions in a range of statutes require or empower the Chancellor of the Exchequer to take certain actions or decisions without any specific parliamentary approval other than the authority conferred by the relevant Acts. For example, he may give directions to the Crown Estate Commissioners under the Crown Estate Act 1961 or hear appeals from aggrieved parties under section 11 of the Banking Act 1979 in respect of decisions by the Bank of England on applications for authorisation under the Banking Act. Other powers and functions are inherent in the office of a Minister of the Crown—for example, the day to day management of his Departments or appointments to certain non-departmental public bodies which have been established by administrative action.