House of Commons Committee of Public Administration
Minutes of Proceedings
Session 2006–07
HC ?????? by authority of the House of Commons London: The Stationery Office Limited £0.00
The Public Administration Select Committee
The Public Administration Select Committee is appointed by the House of Commons to examine the reports of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration, of the Health Service Commissioners for England, Scotland and Wales and of the Parliamentary Ombudsman for Northern Ireland, which are laid before this House, and matters in connection therewith, and to consider matters relating to the quality and standards of administration provided by civil service departments, and other matters relating to the civil service.
Current membership Dr Tony Wright MP (Labour, Cannock Chase) (Chairman) Mr David Burrowes MP (Conservative, Enfield Southgate) Paul Flynn MP (Labour, Newport West) David Heyes MP (Labour, Ashton under Lyne) Kelvin Hopkins MP (Labour, Luton North) Mr Ian Liddell-Grainger MP (Conservative, Bridgewater) Julie Morgan MP (Labour, Cardiff North) Mr Gordon Prentice MP (Labour, Pendle) Paul Rowen MP (Liberal Democrats, Rochdale) Mr Charles Walker MP (Conservative, Broxbourne) Jenny Willott MP (Liberal Democrats, Cardiff Central)
Powers The Committee is one of the select committees, the powers of which are set out in House of Commons Standing Orders, principally in SO No 146. These are available on the Internet via www.parliament.uk.
Publications The Reports and evidence of the Committee are published by The Stationery Office by Order of the House. All publications of the Committee (including press notices) are on the Internet at http://www.parliament.uk/pasc.
Committee staff The current staff of the Committee are Eve Samson (Clerk), James Gerard (Second Clerk), Louise Glen (Committee Assistant), Anne Woolhouse (Secretary) and James Bowman (Senior Office Clerk).
Contacts All correspondence should be addressed to the Clerk of the Public Administration Select Committee, Committee Office, First Floor, 7 Millbank, House of Commons, London SW1P 3JA. The telephone number for general enquiries is 020 7219 3284; the Committee’s email address is [email protected].
3 Proceedings of the Committee
THURSDAY 16 NOVEMBER 2006
Members present:
Dr Tony Wright, in the Chair
David Burrowes Gordon Prentice Kelvin Hopkins Paul Rowen
1. Future Programme
The Committee considered this matter.
2. Propriety and Honours
Ordered, That the letter dated 13 November 2006 from Acting AC Yates be reported to the House. [Adjourned till Thursday 23 November at 9.45 a.m.
THURSDAY 23 NOVEMBER 2006
Members present:
Dr Tony Wright, in the Chair
Paul Flynn Gordon Prentice David Heyes Paul Rowen Kelvin Hopkins Jenny Willott Julie Morgan
1. Future Programme
The Committee considered this matter.
Resolved, That memoranda be published on the internet.
2. Skills for Government
Ordered, That the following memoranda be reported to the House: CIPD, Dr Ruth Levitt and William Solesbury, Intellect, Sir Robin Mountfield, PCS, IIP UK, PHSO, NSG, CBI, Prospect, FDA, and Cabinet Office.
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3. Oral Evidence
Government Communications: Howell James CBE, Permanent Secretary, Government Communication, Cabinet Office, and Simon Mac Dowall, Director of Communications, Ministry of Defence gave oral evidence.
[Adjourned till Thursday 30 November at 9.45 a.m.
THURSDAY 14 DECEMBER 2006
Members present:
Dr Tony Wright, in the Chair
David Heyes Paul Rowen Kelvin Hopkins Jenny Willott Julie Morgan Gordon Prentice
1. Future Programme
The Committee considered this matter.
2. Oral Evidence
Skills for Government: Rt Hon Charles Clarke MP, the Rt Hon Baroness Shephard of Northwold and the Rt Hon Nick Raynsford MP.
[Adjourned till Thursday 11 January at 10.15 a.m.
THURSDAY 11 JANUARY 2007
Members present:
Dr Tony Wright, in the Chair
David Burrowes Julie Morgan Paul Flynn Gordon Prentice Kelvin Hopkins
1. Inquiry on third sector commissioning
The Committee considered this matter.
2. Ethics and Standards
The Committee considered this matter.
3. Witness feedback
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The Committee considered this matter.
[Adjourned till Thursday 18 January at 10.15 a.m.
THURSDAY 18 JANUARY 2007
Members present:
Dr Tony Wright, in the Chair
David Burrowes Julie Morgan Kelvin Hopkins Gordon Prentice Jenny Willott
1. Future Programme
The Committee considered this matter.
2. Consideration of the Chairman’s Draft Report: The Work of the Committee 2005/06
Draft Report [The Work of the Committee in 2005-06], proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read.
Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph.
Paragraphs 1 to 42 read and agreed to.
Resolved, That the Report be the First Report of the Committee to the House.
Ordered, That the Chairman make the Report to the House.
3. Oral Evidence
Public services: putting people first: Ann Abraham, Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman gave oral evidence
[Adjourned till Thursday 25 January at 9.45 a.m.
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THURSDAY 25 JANUARY 2007
Members present:
Dr Tony Wright, in the Chair
David Burrowes Gordon Prentice David Heyes Paul Rowen Kelvin Hopkins Jenny Willott Julie Morgan
1. Future Programme
The Committee considered this matter.
2. Publication of NAO Briefing Report
Ordered, That the National Audit Office Briefing Paper be reported to the House.
3. Oral Evidence
A Debt of Honour: Derek Twigg MP, Minister for Veterans, and Jonathan Iremonger, Director of Veterans Policy Unit gave oral evidence.
[Adjourned till Thursday 1 February at 9.45 a.m.
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THURSDAY 1 FEBRUARY 2007
Members present:
Dr Tony Wright, in the Chair
David Burrowes Gordon Prentice Paul Flynn Paul Rowen Kelvin Hopkins Jenny Willott
1. Amendments to Pensions Bill
Ordered, That Amendments be prepared to the Pensions Bill.
2. Law Commission Programme of Work
The Committee considered this matter.
3. Consideration of Draft Reports
The Committee considered this matter.
[Adjourned till Tuesday 6 February at 2.30 p.m.
TUESDAY 6 FEBRUARY 2007
Members present:
Dr Tony Wright, in the Chair
Kelvin Hopkins Julie Morgan Ian Liddell-Grainger Gordon Prentice
1. Future Programme
The Committee considered this matter.
2. Amendments to the Pensions Bill
The Committee considered this matter.
3. Uncaged Campaigns
The Committee considered this matter.
4. Oral Evidence
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The Work of the Cabinet Office: Sir Gus O’Donnell KCB, Secretary of the Cabinet and Head of the Home Civil Service gave oral evidence
[Adjourned till Thursday 22 February at 9.45 a.m.
THURSDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2007
Members present:
Dr Tony Wright, in the Chair
David Burrowes Julie Morgan Paul Flynn Gordon Prentice Kelvin Hopkins Jenny Willott Ian Liddell-Grainger
1. Future Programme
The Committee considered this matter.
2. Amendments to the Pensions Bill
The Committee considered this matter.
3. Publication of annual list of Public Bodies
The Committee considered this matter.
4. Consideration of the Chairman’s Draft Report: Governing the Future
Draft Report [Governing the Future], proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read.
Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph.
Paragraphs entitled Summary read and postponed.
Paragraphs 1 to 109 read and agreed to.
Postponed paragraphs entitled Summary read again and agreed to.
Resolved, That the Report be the Second Report of the Committee to the House.
Ordered, That the Chairman make the Report to the House.
Ordered, That embargoed copies of the Report be made available, in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order 134.
Several papers were ordered to be appended to the Report
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Ordered, That the Appendices to the Report be reported to the House.
[Adjourned till Thursday 1 March at 9.45 a.m.
THURSDAY 1 MARCH
Members present:
Dr Tony Wright, in the Chair
Paul Flynn Gordon Prentice David Heyes Charles Walker Kelvin Hopkins Jenny Willott
1. Future Programme
The Committee considered this matter.
2. Any other business
The Committee considered this matter.
3. Oral Evidence
Public service: putting people first: Paul Gray CB, Chief Executive, HM Revenue and Customs gave oral evidence
[Adjourned till Tuesday 6 March at 3.00 p.m.
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TUESDAY 6 MARCH
Members present:
Dr Tony Wright, in the Chair
David Burrowes Paul Rowen Kelvin Hopkins Charles Walker Gordon Prentice
1. Future Programme
The Committee considered this matter.
2. Any other business
The Committee considered this matter.
3. Oral Evidence
The Work of the Cabinet Office: Rt Hon Hilary Armstrong MP and Mr Ian Watmore gave oral evidence
[Adjourned till Thursday 8 March at 9.45 a.m.
THURSDAY 8 MARCH
Members present:
Dr Tony Wright, in the Chair
David Burrowes Ian Liddell-Grainger Paul Flynn Gordon Prentice David Heyes Charles Walker Kelvin Hopkins
1. Future Programme
The Committee considered this matter.
2. Any other business
The Committee considered this matter.
3. Oral Evidence
Public services: putting people first: Tom Steinberg, MySociety website, Ross Ferguson, Hansard Society, William Heath and Ruth Kennedy, Kable Ltd gave oral evidence.
[Adjourned till Thursday 15 March at 9.45 a.m.
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THURSDAY 15 MARCH
Members present:
Dr Tony Wright, in the Chair
Paul Flynn Mr Gordon Prentice David Heyes Mr Charles Walker Kelvin Hopkins
1. Propriety and Honours
The Committee considered this matter.
Motion made, and Question put, That the letter from Assistant Commissioner Yates be published on the website without any further commentary (other than a note that it was not prejudicial to the inquiry) or press release [The Chairman.]
The Committee divided.
Ayes, 3 Noes,1 Paul Flynn Mr Gordon Prentice David Heyes Kelvin Hopkins
2. Consideration of the Chairman’s Draft Report: Politics and Administration: Ministers and Civil Servants
Draft Report [Politics and Administration : Ministers and Civil Servants], proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read.
Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph.
Paragraphs entitled Summary read and postponed.
Paragraphs 1 to 141 read and agreed to.
Postponed paragraphs entitled Summary read again and agreed to.
Resolved, That the Report be the Third Report of the Committee to the House.
Ordered, That the Chairman make the Report to the House.
Ordered, That embargoed copies of the Report be made available, in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order 134. The Compact between Ministers and the Home Office Board was appended to the Report.
Several papers were ordered to be appended to the Minutes of Proceedings.
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3. Oral Evidence
Public services: putting people first: Leigh Lewis CB, Permanent Secretary, Department for Work and Pensions, and Terry Moran, Chief Executive, Disability and Carers Service gave oral evidence
[Adjourned till Thursday 22 March at 9.45 a.m.
THURSDAY 22 MARCH
Members present:
Dr Tony Wright, in the Chair
David Heyes Mr Gordon Prentice Mr Ian Liddell-Grainger Paul Rowen
1. Future programme
The Committee considered this matter.
2. Pensions
The Committee considered this matter.
3. Principles of Good Administration
The Committee considered this matter.
Resolved, The Chairman write to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration to welcome the Principles of Good Administration.
4. Oral Evidence
Public services: putting people first: Bernard Herdan, Executive Director of Service Delivery, Identity and Passport Service; and Professor Patrick Dunleavy (LSE) and Philip Cullum, National Consumer Council, gave oral evidence
[Adjourned till Thursday 19 April at 9.45 a.m.
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THURSDAY 19 APRIL
Members present:
Dr Tony Wright, in the Chair
Kelvin Hopkins Mr Gordon Prentice Mr Ian Liddell-Grainger Mr Charles Walker Julie Morgan Jenny Willott
1. Future Programme
The Committee considered this matter. 2. Appointment of Specialist Adviser
Ordered, That Ms Pauline Ngan be appointed a Special Adviser to assist the Committee in matters relating to its inquiry in Public Services: Putting People First
3. Consideration of the Chairman’s Draft Report: Ethics and Standards: The Regulation of Conduct in Public Life
Draft Report [Ethics and Standards: The Regulation of Conduct in Public Life], proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read.
Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph.
Paragraphs entitled Summary read and postponed.
Paragraphs 1 to 114 read and agreed to.
Postponed paragraphs entitled Summary read again and agreed to.
Resolved, That the Report be the Fourth Report of the Committee to the House.
Ordered, That the Chairman make the Report to the House.
Ordered, That embargoed copies of the Report be made available, in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order 134.
Several papers were ordered to be appended to the Report.
4. Oral Evidence
Public services: putting people first: Rt Hon Lord Butler of Brockwell KG GCB CVO and Professor Christopher Hood, Oxford University gave oral evidence
[Adjourned till Thursday 26 April at 9.45 a.m.
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THURSDAY 26 APRIL
Members present:
Dr Tony Wright, in the Chair
Kelvin Hopkins Mr Gordon Prentice Mr Ian Liddell-Grainger Jenny Willott
1. Future Programme
The Committee considered this matter.
2. Oral Evidence
Public services: putting people first: Professor Peter Beresford, Shaping Our Lives, Dr Marcus Roberts, Mind, Mr Andrew Harrop, Age Concern, and Liz Stone, Mencap; Mr David Boyle, New Economics Foundation, Mr Matthew Taylor, Royal Society of Arts, and Ms Sophia Parker, Demos gave oral evidence
[Adjourned till Thursday 10 May at 9.45 a.m.
THURSDAY 10 MAY
Members present:
Dr Tony Wright, in the Chair
Mr David Burrowes Mr Ian Liddell-Grainger Paul Flynn Julie Morgan David Heyes Mr Gordon Prentice Kelvin Hopkins Mr Charles Walker
1. Future Programme
The Committee considered this matter.
2. Committee Visit
Resolved, That the Committee visit Worcester and Birmingham in connection with its inquiry into Third Sector Commissioning.
3. Consideration of the Chairman’s Draft Report: Pensions Bill: Government Undertakings relating to the Financial Assistance Scheme
Draft Report [Pensions Bill: Government Undertakings relating to the Financial Assistance Scheme], proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read.
Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph.
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Paragraphs 1 to 22 read and agreed to.
Resolved, That the Report be the Fifth Report of the Committee to the House.
Ordered, That the Chairman make the Report to the House.
Several papers were ordered to be appended to the Report.
4. Oral Evidence
Public services: putting people first: Pat McFadden MP, Parliamentary Secretary and Ian Watmore, Head of Delivery Unit, Cabinet Office gave oral evidence
[Adjourned till Tuesday 15 May at 4.00 p.m.
TUESDAY 15 MAY
Members present:
Dr Tony Wright, in the Chair
Mr David Burrowes Mr Gordon Prentice David Heyes Paul Rowen Kelvin Hopkins Mr Charles Walker Julie Morgan
1. Future Programme
The Committee considered this matter.
3. Oral Evidence
Ethics and Standards: Sir Alistair Graham, former chairman of the Committee on Standards in Public Life gave oral evidence.
[Adjourned till Tuesday 22 May at 2.00 p.m.
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TUESDAY 22 MAY
Members present:
Dr Tony Wright, in the Chair
Mr David Burrowes Mr Gordon Prentice David Heyes Paul Rowen Kelvin Hopkins Mr Charles Walker
1. Future Programme
The Committee considered this matter.
Resolved, That the Committee inquire into lobbying.
2. Oral Evidence
Public Services: Putting People First: David Bell, Permanent Secretary at the Department for Education and Skills, and Peter Wilkinson of the Audit Commission gave oral evidence.
[Adjourned till Thursday 7 June at 9.45 a.m.
THURSDAY 7 JUNE
Members present:
Dr Tony Wright, in the Chair
Paul Flynn Julie Morgan David Heyes Mr Gordon Prentice Kelvin Hopkins Mr Charles Walker
Consideration of the Chairman’s Draft Report: The Business Appointment Rules
Draft Report [The Business Appointment Rules], proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read.
Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph.
Paragraphs 1 to 41 read and agreed to.
Resolved, That the Report be the Sixth Report of the Committee to the House.
Ordered, That the Chairman make the Report to the House.
A Memorandum was ordered to be appended to the Report.
[Adjourned till Tuesday 12 June at 3.45 p.m.
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TUESDAY 12 JUNE
Members present:
Dr Tony Wright, in the Chair
Paul Flynn Julie Morgan David Heyes Mr Gordon Prentice Mr Ian Liddell Grainger
1. Consideration of the Chairman’s Draft Report: Machinery of Government Changes
Draft Report [Machinery of Government Changes], proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read.
Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph.
Paragraphs entitled Summary read and postponed.
Paragraphs 1 to 47 read and agreed to.
Postponed paragraphs entitled Summary read again and agreed to.
Resolved, That the Report be the Seventh Report of the Committee to the House.
Ordered, That the Chairman make the Report to the House.
Ordered, That embargoed copies of the Report be made available, in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order 134.
2. Future Programme
The Committee considered this matter.
3. Debt of Honour
The Committee considered this matter.
4. Oral Evidence
Third Sector Commissioning: Dr Neil Bentley, CBI, Dave Prentis, Unison, Will Werry, Joint Commissioning Committee, Rachael Maskell, Amicus, gave oral evidence.
[Adjourned till Tuesday 19 June at 3.45 p.m.
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TUESDAY 19 JUNE
Members present:
Dr Tony Wright, in the Chair
David Burrowes Mr Gordon Prentice Paul Flynn Paul Rowen David Heyes Charles Walker Kelvin Hopkins Jenny Willott Mr Ian Liddell Grainger
1. Future Programme
The Committee considered this matter.
2. Pensions Bill
The Committee considered this matter.
3. Oral Evidence
Public Appointments: Confirmation Hearings: Janet Gaymer CBE, Commissioner for Public Appointments, gave oral evidence.
[Adjourned till Thursday 5 July at 9.45 a.m.
THURSDAY 5 JULY
Members present:
Dr Tony Wright, in the Chair
Paul Flynn Mr Gordon Prentice David Heyes Charles Walker Kelvin Hopkins Jenny Willott Julie Morgan
1. Future Programme
The Committee considered this matter.
2. Pensions Bill
The Committee considered this matter.
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3. Oral Evidence
Third Sector Commissioning: John Stoker, Commissioner, The Compact, Campbell Robb, Director-General, Office of the Third Sector, and Richard Gutch, Chief Executive, Futurebuilders England, gave oral evidence.
[Adjourned till Tuesday 10 July at 2.00 p.m.
TUESDAY 10 JULY
Members present:
Dr Tony Wright, in the Chair
Paul Flynn Mr Gordon Prentice David Heyes Paul Rowen Kelvin Hopkins Mr Charles Walker Ian Liddell-Grainger Jenny Willott
1. Future Programme
The Committee considered this matter.
2. Consideration of the Chairman’s Draft Special Report: The Governance of Britain
Draft Report [The Governance of Britain], proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read.
Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph.
Paragraphs 1 to 5 read and agreed to.
Annex agreed to.
Resolved, That the Report be the First Special Report of the Committee to the House.
Ordered, That the Chairman make the Report to the House.
3. Oral Evidence
Third Sector Commissioning: Martin Narey, Chief Executive, Barnardo's, Philip Cullum, Deputy Chief Executive, and Alison Hopkins, Senior Policy Advocate, National Consumer Council, gave oral evidence.
[Adjourned till Thursday 12 July at 10.30 a.m.
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THURSDAY 12 JULY
Members present:
Dr Tony Wright, in the Chair
David Burrowes Kelvin Hopkins Paul Flynn Mr Gordon Prentice David Heyes Mr Charles Walker
1. Future Programme
The Committee considered this matter.
2. Consideration of the Chairman’s Draft Report: The Pensions Bill and the FAS: An Update
Draft Report [The Pensions Bill and the FAS: An Update], proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read.
Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph.
Paragraphs 1 to 12 read and agreed to.
Resolved, That the Report be the Eighth Report of the Committee to the House.
Ordered, That the Chairman make the Report to the House.
Several papers were ordered to be appended to the Report.
3. Oral Evidence
Third Sector Commissioning: Dame Suzi Leather, Chair, Andrew Hind, Chief Executive, Rosie Chapman, Executive Director of Policy, and Kenneth Dibble, Executive Director of Legal and Chairty Services, Charity Commission, gave oral evidence.
[Adjourned till Thursday 19 July at 9.45 a.m.
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THURSDAY 19 JULY
Members present:
Dr Tony Wright, in the Chair
David Heyes Gordon Prentice Kelvin Hopkins Paul Rowen Ian Liddell-Grainger Charles Walker Julie Morgan Jenny Willott
1. Future Programme
The Committee considered this matter.
Resolved, That the Committee Brussels in connection with its inquiry into Lobbying.
2. Oral Evidence
Centre of Government: Sir Michael Barber gave oral evidence.
[Adjourned till Tuesday 24 July at 2.00 p.m.
TUESDAY 24 JULY
Members present:
Dr Tony Wright, in the Chair
Paul Flynn Julie Morgan David Heyes Paul Rowen Kelvin Hopkins Jenny Willott Mr Ian Liddell-Grainger
1. Future Programme
The Committee considered this matter.
2. Consideration of the Chairman’s Draft Report: Skills for Government
Draft Report [Skills for Government], proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read.
Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph.
Paragraphs entitled Summary read and postponed.
Paragraphs 1 to 152 read and agreed to.
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Postponed paragraphs entitled Summary read again and agreed to.
Resolved, That the Report be the Ninth Report of the Committee to the House.
Ordered, That the Chairman make the Report to the House.
Ordered, That embargoed copies of the Report be made available, in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order 134.
Several papers were ordered to be appended to the Report.
3. Propriety and Honours
Resolved, That a press statement on Propriety and Honours be published.
4. Oral Evidence
Freedom of Information: Administrative Impact: Richard Thomas, Information Commissioner, Graham Smith, Deputy Information Commissioner, and Maurice Frankel, Director, Campaign for Freedom of Information gave oral evidence.
[Adjourned till Thursday 11 October at 9.45 a.m.
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THURSDAY 11 OCTOBER
Members present:
Dr Tony Wright, in the Chair
David Burrowes Gordon Prentice Paul Flynn Paul Rowen David Heyes Charles Walker Mr Ian Liddell-Grainger Jenny Willott Julie Morgan
1. Future Programme
The Committee considered this matter.
2. Consideration of the Draft Special Report: The Pensions Bill and the FAS: an Update: Government Response to the Committee’s Eighth Report of Session 2006-07
Draft Special Report [The Pensions Bill and the FAS: an Update: Government Response to the Committee’s Eighth Report of Session 2006-07], proposed by the Chairman, brought up, read the first and second time, and agreed to.
The Government’s response to the Eighth Report from the Committee was appended to the Report.
Resolved, That the Report be the Second Special Report of the Committee to the House.
Ordered, That the Chairman make the Report to the House.
3. Oral Evidence
Propriety and Honours: Lessons Learned: Lord Stevenson of Coddenham CBE, Chairman, and Lord Hurd of Westwell CH CBE, member, House of Lords Appointment Commission gave oral evidence.
[Adjourned till Thursday 18 October at 9.45 a.m.
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THURSDAY 18 OCTOBER
Members present:
Dr Tony Wright, in the Chair
Paul Flynn Gordon Prentice David Heyes Paul Rowen Kelvin Hopkins Charles Walker Mr Ian Liddell-Grainger Jenny Willott Julie Morgan
Declaration of Interests
Kelvin Hopkins declared that he was a member of the PCS support group.
1. Future Programme
The Committee considered this matter.
2. Consideration of the Draft Special Report: The Business Appointment Rules: Government Response to the Committee’s Sixth Report of Session 2006-07
Draft Special Report [The Business Appointment Rules: Government Response to the Committee’s Sixth Report of Session 2006-07], proposed by the Chairman, brought up, read the first and second time, and agreed to.
The Government’s response to the Sixth Report from the Committee was appended to the Report.
Resolved, That the Report be the Third Special Report of the Committee to the House.
Ordered, That the Chairman make the Report to the House.
2. Consideration of the Draft Special Report: The Ministerial Code: the case for independent investigation: Government Response to the Committee’s Seventh Report of Session 2005-06
Draft Special Report [The Ministerial Code: the case for independent investigation: Government Response to the Committee’s Seventh Report of Session 2005-06], proposed by the Chairman, brought up, read the first and second time, and agreed to.
The Government’s response to the Seventh Report of Session 2005-06 from the Committee was appended to the Report.
Resolved, That the Report be the Fourth Special Report of the Committee to the House.
Ordered, That the Chairman make the Report to the House.
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3. Oral Evidence
Work of the Ombudsman:: Ann Abraham, Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman gave oral evidence.
[Adjourned till Tuesday 23 October at 2.45 p.m.