§ Mrs. Anne CampbellTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on what basis the public sector research establishments in the Ministry of Defence and those in Northern Ireland were excluded from the on-going efficiency scrutiny.
Mr. Robert G. HughesDefence establishments were excluded from the multidepartmental efficiency scrutiny of public sector research establishments in the light of the separate "Front Line First" review under way within the Ministry of Defence. Developments in that review were, however, monitored by the scrutiny team. The Northern Ireland civil service, as a distinct and separate entity, is not normally included within the remit of multidepartmental efficiency scrutinies but shadows them to ensure that best practice is read across in a manner tailored to local circumstances.