§ Mr. Gordon PrenticeTo ask the Prime Minister on how many occasions since 1979 permanent secretaries have filed a formal note of dissent registering their disapproval of a ministerial instruction. [71681]
§ The Prime MinisterNo central record is kept of any formal notes of dissent except where they lead to the issuing of a Ministerial instruction (or "Direction") as provided for in the procedures set out in paragraphs 12–15 of the Treasury documentThe Responsibilities of an Accounting Officer. Under these procedures the Treasury is informed when a Ministerial Direction is issued. Until December 1994 Departments were required to inform the Treasury about Ministerial Directions concerning propriety and regularity only, and not those concerning value for money. From December 1994 Departments were required to inform the Treasury of both kinds of Directions. Treasury records show that since 1981 the Treasury has been informed of 28 Directions. No central record is held of notes (if there are any) recording an Accounting Officer's dissatisfaction at a Ministerial Direction.