§ The Earl of Northeskasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the statement of the Lord Falconer of Thoroton on 13 December (H.L. Deb., col. 5) that the Labour Party has a strong centre, whether this policy development is consistent with the intention espoused in the Labour Party's General Election manifesto to deal with the fact that "Over-centralisation of government and lack of accountability was a problem in governments of both left and right"; and [HL435]
Further to the statement of the Lord Falconer of Thoroton on 13 December (H.L. Deb., col. 5): "… as the Labour Party made clear before coming into office that it would have a strong centre, which it has", where in the party's general election manifesto reference to this policy development can be found. [HL434]
§ The Minister of State, Cabinet Office (Lord Falconer of Thoroton)This Government are committed to delivering the programme of change set out in the Labour Party's general election manifesto. That commitment to delivery was itself set out clearly in the manifesto. Strengthening the centre of government to co-ordinate and oversee the delivery of policy is quite different from the Government's programme of devolution and local government reform in order to move away from "over-centralisation of government and lack of accountability".