§ Mr. TyrieTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) if he will list the meetings with external(a) bodies and (b) individuals that his Department's (i) special advisers and (ii) unpaid advisers have attended without Ministers in their official capacity in each year since 1996–97; [174646]
(2) if he will list the attributable letters that his Department's (a) special advisers and (b) unpaid advisers have written to external (i) bodies and (ii) individuals in their official capacity in each year since 1996–97. [174649]
§ Maria EagleThe Department for Work and Pensions was created in June 2001. Information prior to June 2001 refers to the former Department of Social Security. The Code of Conduct for Special Advisers makes clear that special advisers may liaise with outside interest groups on the Minister's behalf The information requested could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
The Department has no unpaid advisers.
§ Mr. TyrieTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what role his Department's(a) special advisers and (b) unpaid advisers play in the (i) appraisal, (ii) reward, (iii) discipline and (iv) promotion of permanent civil servants. [174651]
§ Maria EagleThe Department for Work and Pensions was created in June 2001. Information prior to June 2001 refers to the former Department of Social Security. In its response to the Ninth Report of the Committee on Standards in Public Life, the Government made clear that with the exception of up to three posts in No. 10, special advisers cannot have any role in the appraisal, reward, discipline or promotion of permanent civil servants.
The Department has no unpaid advisers.
§ Mr. TyrieTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will list occasions when his Department's(a) special advisers and (b) unpaid advisers have been responsible for authorising departmental spending since 1997. [174653]
§ Maria EagleThe Department for Work and Pensions was created in June 2001. Information prior to June 2001 refers to the former Department of Social Security. No special adviser within the Department has, or has had, any authority to authorise departmental spending.
The Department has no unpaid advisers.
731W
§ Mr. TyrieTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether his Department's(a) special advisers and (b) unpaid advisers give instructions to permanent civil servants without the explicit authorisation of Ministers. [175020]
§ Maria EagleIn its response to the Ninth Report of the Committee on Standards in Public Life, the Government made clear that special advisers may, on behalf of their Ministers, convey to officials Ministers' views and work priorities. It is not the case that special advisers in the Department may issue instructions to permanent civil servants.
The Department has no unpaid advisers.