§ Mr. FoulkesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list all areas within(a) his Department, (b) agencies under his Department's control and 664W (c) organisations for which he has ministerial responsibility to which Crown immunity applies; what consideration he has given to removing this; and if he will make a statement. [28647]
§ Mr. RedwoodAn Act of Parliament is presumed not to bind the Crown unless the contrary intention is clearly stated, or there is a necessary implication that the Crown is to be bound. Ministers and civil servants will not necessarily share the Crown's immunity from criminal prosecution.
The Government policy on Crown immunity, as set out in Cm 1599, "The Citizen's Charter—Raising the Standard", is that Crown immunity is being progressively reduced as legislative opportunities arise. In the meantime, Crown bodies are expected to behave as though they were bound by regulations.