§ Mr. ByersTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment on what occasions in the last 10 years he or a Minister in his Department has given a direction to civil servants to award a contract against the advice of the civil service; what was the subject matter of the contract and its value; and when it was awarded.
§ Mr. Michael Forsyth[holding answer 8 July 1994]: Ministers in this Department have not issued any directions, as described in paragraphs 13 and 14 of the Treasury memorandum of the responsibilities of the accounting officer, during the last 10 years. A copy of this memorandum is available in the Library.