§ Mr. GrieveTo ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on his responsibilities for the Scottish Civil Service and its adherence to the Civil Service Code. [135946]
§ The Prime Minister[holding answer 31 October 2000]: Under the terms of the Scotland Act 1998, civil servants working in the Scottish Executive are members of the Home Civil Service and subject to the requirements of the Civil Service Code.
§ Mr. GrieveTo ask the Prime Minister if he will refer to the Cabinet Secretary the proposals of the First Minister, the hon. Member for Central Fife (Mr. McLeish) in relation to privileged access for Labour MSPs to civil servants of the Scottish Executive and compliance with the Civil Service Code. [135945]
§ The Prime Minister[holding answer 31 October 2000]: The First Minister, my hon. Friend the Member for Central Fife (Mr. McLeish) has made his position clear in the following terms:
Any talk of politicising the civil service in Scotland is nonsense. Impartiality is at the heart of everything the Civil Service has to offer and I will not let it be compromised in any shape or form.64WOf course there is a need for party political support and advice but that is a role for others—not the Civil Service.The Political Unit I am proposing will be entirely staffed by Labour movement staff with a range of liaison functions. It will be distinct from the Policy Unit which will continue to be staffed by Special Advisers and career civil servants.Let us also be clear that in accordance with well established practice MSPs of all parties have access to briefing from civil servants, usually on the basis that they support Ministers at meetings arranged for the purpose. This mechanism provides a valuable opportunity for MSPs to discuss issues of concern to their constituents with those closest to the detail of a particular policy and I intend that more should be made of it.I see no reason for referring the matter to the Secretary of the Cabinet.