§ Mr. FoulkesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list all areas within(a) his Department, (b) agencies under his Department's control and (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. [28649]
§ Sir Paul Beresford[holding answer 15 June 1995]: An 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's 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.
In accordance with this policy, we have announced our intention to introduce legislation to place on a statutory footing the requirement for the Crown to observe town and country planning controls.