Questions of Procedure for Ministers

HL Deb 22 February 1996 vol 569 c83WA

Earl Russell

asked Her Majesty's Government:

When they expect to issue an amended version of Questions of Procedure for Ministers, incorporating the proposed amendments set out in Annex A of the Government's response to the Nolan Report, reinforcing the principle that "Ministers must not knowingly mislead Parliament".

The Lord Privy Seal (Viscount Cranborne)

As my right honourable friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster made clear in the other place on 2 November 1995 (Official Report, columns 456–7) the Government have already amended Questions of Procedure for Ministers in line with the Government's response to the Nolan Report by issuing a new paragraph I which includes the statement that "Ministers must not knowingly mislead Parliament and the public and should correct any inadvertent errors at the earliest opportunity".