§ Dr. WrightTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what guidelines are issued to next steps agencies on the distinction between policy and administration in relation to the delegation of responsibility to chief executives of executive agencies.
§ Mr. Robert JacksonThe allocation of responsibilities between a Minister and the chief executive of an agency is set out in the agency's framework document and varies in 851W each case. This does not necessarily provide an absolute distinction between policy and administration. In its reply to the seventh report from the Treasury and Civil Service Committee, session 1990–91 (Cm 1761), the Government noted that managers
should contribute to the formulation of the policy which they have to execute, just as those offering policy advice to Ministers need to appreciate the practicalities of policy delivery.My office has issued guidance from time to time on the arrangements for dealing with parliamentary questions and letters from Members of Parliament on matters delegated to agencies, with the suggestion that the allocation of responsibilities in the agency's framework document should normally be used as the basis for deciding whether the chief executive or the Minister should reply.