Written question asked by Baroness Miller of Hendon (Conservative), in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 2 November 2000. It was answered by Lord Sainsbury of Turville (Labour) on Thursday, 2 November 2000.

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Sainsbury of Turville, Lord

Question

How the Minister for Science reconciles his statement to the House of Lords on 11 July, 615 c181, that, "when one refers to the department giving authority to the report, that must mean Ministers", with his reply to a question by Lord Razzall on 12 October, 617 c498, that, "Noble Lords will appreciate that the report is agreed by the Permanent Secretary, not by departmental Ministers. It is a matter for the NAO and the Public Accounts Committee, and it is the Permanent Secretary who takes the role of accounting officer". [HL 4352].

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Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

HL 4352; 618 c119-20WA

Session

1999-00

Subjects

Disclosure of information Ministers Postal services Post Office National Audit Office Sales Takeovers German Parcel