Hon. Member for Coventry, North-West

HC Deb 01 February 1999 vol 324 c413W

Mr. Paterson

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he took to investigate the business background of the previous Paymaster General, the hon. Member for Coventry, North-West (Mr. Robinson), at the time of his appointment as Paymaster General. [67331]

Mr. Gordon Brown

[holding answer 27 January 1999]: All Ministers are appointed by the Prime Minister. The previous Paymaster General, like all Ministers of the Crown, was required to act in accordance with the principles set out in the Ministerial Code.