§ Mr. PageTo ask the Lord President of the Council how the Government intend to respond to the decision of the Administration Committee that letters sent to hon. Members by agency chief executives in response to parliamentary questions should be printed among the written answers in the dailyOfficial Report.
§ Mr. NewtonThe Government welcome the Administration Committee's decision, which was set out by the Committee's Chairman in a previous written answer,Official Report 16 July 1992, column 941. The decision meets the Government's aim that replies from agency chief executives should be more readily accessible. while recognising the direct operational responsibilities of chief executives.
287WOfficials from the Office of Public Service and Science have been discussing the practical implications with the Official Report and with Departments and agencies. Guidance has been issued to allow the new arrangements to come into effect as from the beginning of the new term. The Government will keep the working of the new arrangements under review.
288WThe arrangements apply to questions tabled on operational matters for which responsibility has been delegated by Ministers to agency chief executives. It remains open to hon. Members to write to chief executives direct on such matters and I would encourage them to do so wherever they judge it appropriate.