§ Lord Denningasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Answer of Earl Howe on 31st October 1996 (col. WA 27), whether Property Advisers to the Civil Estate (PACE) is a legal entity or has any legal personality or existence and, if so, whether they will specify it; whether PACE can only buy or sell property or sue for rents, whether any such 96WA qualities can only be conferred by Act of Parliament, which does not exist in the case of PACE; and whether the framework document has any legal status or authority.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Earl Howe)I refer the noble and learned Lord to the answer I gave him on 31st October. As an executive agency of the Cabinet Office (Office of Public Service), the Property Advisers to the Civil Estate (PACE) has no legal personality separate from the Crown. As an emanation of the Crown, PACE may enter into contracts, acquire and dispose of land and interests in land, and enforce rights on behalf of the Crown without any further statutory authority. The agency's framework document incorporates instructions which the responsible Minister is entitled to give, but it is not a document which is legally enforceable.