To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office with reference to the decision of the British Council to outsource staff to India, whether her Department has issued recent guidance to non-departmental bodies and executive agencies on the outsourcing of Civil Service jobs to areas outside the UK.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office with reference to the decision of the British Council to outsource staff to India, whether her Department has issued recent guidance to non-departmental bodies and executive agencies on the outsourcing of Civil Service jobs to areas outside the UK.

We have tabled new clause 33, which has been grouped with the amendment.

We have tabled new clause 33, which has been grouped with the amendment.

I look forward with interest to the Minister's response to that question—[Interruption.] She is looking anxiously to the civil servants' Box for advice on that important matter—so at least it should come from the horse's mouth. Executive non-departmental public bodies, with the exception of three Crown NDPBs, are not counted...

I look forward with interest to the Minister's response to that question—[Interruption.] She is looking anxiously to the civil servants' Box for advice on that important matter—so at least it should come from the horse's mouth. Executive non-departmental public bodies, with the exception of three Crown NDPBs, are not counted...

I apologise, Sir Alan, for being a little previous in attempting to intervene during the last grouping. I have worked out that I last led for my party during the Committee stage of a Bill in 1992—so perhaps I am a little rusty. However, I hope that I shall get...

I apologise, Sir Alan, for being a little previous in attempting to intervene during the last grouping. I have worked out that I last led for my party during the Committee stage of a Bill in 1992—so perhaps I am a little rusty. However, I hope that I shall get...

Does the Minister not find it slightly embarrassing that the Cabinet Office, where she is Minister responsible for civil service matters, has shrugged off any knowledge of civil service numbers, and regards the information as something to be tracked randomly by the ONS? Is that information not central, and should...

Does the Minister not find it slightly embarrassing that the Cabinet Office, where she is Minister responsible for civil service matters, has shrugged off any knowledge of civil service numbers, and regards the information as something to be tracked randomly by the ONS? Is that information not central, and should...

There is no harm in making that designation more explicit, and giving it some teeth by entrenching it in statute. There is, of course, already a provision enabling a permanent secretary who feels that he or she is being required to do something that is not in the interests of...

There is no harm in making that designation more explicit, and giving it some teeth by entrenching it in statute. There is, of course, already a provision enabling a permanent secretary who feels that he or she is being required to do something that is not in the interests of...

I am grateful to the Minister for confirming that the Bill intends to make no change to the current arrangements, which have persisted reasonably successfully for a long time without serious challenge. Will she also confirm that the protection for civil servants against ministerial political interference in recruitment, dismissal or...

I am grateful to the Minister for confirming that the Bill intends to make no change to the current arrangements, which have persisted reasonably successfully for a long time without serious challenge. Will she also confirm that the protection for civil servants against ministerial political interference in recruitment, dismissal or...

I beg to move amendment 50, page 4, line 29, at end insert ‘with a fiduciary responsibility to spend taxpayers’ money responsibly.’. The civil service code and its entrenchment in statute is the central part of the civil service portion of the Bill. It is extremely important; we strongly support...

I beg to move amendment 50, page 4, line 29, at end insert ‘with a fiduciary responsibility to spend taxpayers’ money responsibly.’. The civil service code and its entrenchment in statute is the central part of the civil service portion of the Bill. It is extremely important; we strongly support...

I have listened to the comments of the Minister and others. We think that this duty is an important part of the obligations on civil servants and that a statement of that would give additional protection to civil servants, but there are other ways of addressing the issue and we...

I have listened to the comments of the Minister and others. We think that this duty is an important part of the obligations on civil servants and that a statement of that would give additional protection to civil servants, but there are other ways of addressing the issue and we...

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster pursuant to the answer of 2 March 2009, Official Report, column 1353W, on employment levels: private sector, what estimate the Office for National Statistics has made of the number of individuals who were not British citizens who were employed in the...

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster pursuant to the answer of 2 March 2009, Official Report, column 1353W, on employment levels: private sector, what estimate the Office for National Statistics has made of the number of individuals who were not British citizens who were employed in the...