§ Norman BakerTo ask the Prime Minister what steps he intends to take to improve the public accountability of(a) Lord Birt and (b) Lord Levy; if he will take steps to enable them to answer parliamentary questions in relation to their duties; and if he will make a statement. [15887]
§ The Prime MinisterFor details of Lord Birt's role, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Worthing, West (Peter Bottomley) on 25 October 2001,Official Report, columns 313–14W. For details of Lord Levy's role, I refer the hon. Member to the answer my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Stockport (Ms Coffey) on 9 July 2001, Official Report, column 350W. Both advisers are accountable to Ministers who are accountable to Parliament. I have no plans to change this practice.