§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many allegations made by civil servants of improper conduct by Ministers are currently under investigation by the first civil service commissioner; and if he will make a statement on the nature of the allegations. [37132]
§ Mr. FreemanThe civil service commissioners' annual report for 1995–96 published on 4 June, stated that one appeal to them under the civil service code was currently under investigation; one case had been the320W subject of internal departmental investigation and the commissioners had not yet received an appeal; and one further case was still the subject of internal departmental procedures. I understand from the first commissioner that none of these cases involved allegations of improper conduct by Ministers and that no further approaches have been made to the commissioners since their report was published. The commissioners will report in general terms on the number, nature and outcome of all appeals made to them in their next report.