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2,386 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDUnited Kingdom Internal Market BillMy Lords, it gives me great pleasure to seek to reply to this extremely interesting debate. I agree with the noble and learned Lord that this is an extremely important area to…02 Nov 2020HANSARDHome Secretary: Allegations of BullyingMy Lords, I refer again to what the Cabinet Secretary said about the process. On bullying, I underline again what I said earlier. The Civil Service helps those who wish to make…02 Nov 2020HANSARDHome Secretary: Allegations of BullyingMy Lords, the Government take bullying very seriously. In 2018, the Civil Service undertook a review of the arrangements for tackling harassment and misconduct within the service.…02 Nov 2020HANSARDHome Secretary: Allegations of BullyingMy Lords, I have nothing further to add to the replies I gave earlier about the ongoing process.02 Nov 2020HANSARDHome Secretary: Allegations of BullyingMy Lords, I stated just now that there is an Independent Adviser on Ministers’ Interests, and that is Sir Alex Allan, who has a role. I have also studied the Cabinet Secretary’s…02 Nov 2020HANSARDHome Secretary: Allegations of BullyingMy Lords, I am sorry to disappoint my noble friend so far as the timing is concerned. However, it is not possible to comment on an ongoing process. What I can say in relation to…02 Nov 2020HANSARDUnited Kingdom Internal Market BillMy Lords, I strongly agree on the principle of trust between all parties in a negotiation. It is not always there in every negotiation, but this is more than a negotiation; it is…02 Nov 2020HANSARDUnited Kingdom Internal Market BillMy Lords, I believe I heard my noble friend Lord Callanan addressing this point in the previous group and that there was talk of a letter. I may have misheard but, if such a…02 Nov 2020HANSARDHome Secretary: Allegations of BullyingThe process is independent. The Prime Minister asked the Cabinet Office to establish the facts, in line with the Ministerial Code, and the Independent Adviser on Ministers’…02 Nov 2020HANSARDHome Secretary: Allegations of BullyingMy Lords, I agree with much of what the noble and gallant Lord has said, in particular that all civil servants must feel free to give independent and open advice, and that…02 Nov 2020HANSARDHome Secretary: Allegations of BullyingMy Lords, the noble Lord has made an important point. As I have indicated to the House, full assistance is provided to those who make complaints. There is also a facility to make…02 Nov 2020HANSARDCivil Servants: Public ProcurementMy Lords, these issues are important; in my initial reply, I tried to convey the importance that I attach to probity. I recognise the role of transparency therein. I have told the…29 Oct 2020HANSARDCivil Servants: Public ProcurementMy Lords, as I said in my first Answer, humility, respect for proper conduct and ethics are the best guide for any person at any level or in any place in public service. To that…29 Oct 2020HANSARDCivil Servants: Public ProcurementMy Lords, Ministers are bound by the Ministerial Code and civil servants are bound by the Civil Service Management Code, from which I have quoted. Special advisers are also…29 Oct 2020HANSARDCivil Servants: Public ProcurementMy Lords, one of the delights of the United Kingdom is that the Government are not responsible for the actions of the Select Committees of either House of Parliament. So far as…29 Oct 2020HANSARDCivil Servants: Public ProcurementMy Lords, the noble Viscount is referring to local government, but I shall repeat what I said at the start. I believe that we need probity at every level of the public service. He…29 Oct 2020HANSARDCivil Servants: Public ProcurementMy Lords, any breach of the Civil Service Code will be dealt with by the appropriate procedures within the Civil Service. Every department is expected to develop and set up its…29 Oct 2020HANSARDCivil Servants: Public ProcurementMy Lords, I have already referred to the ongoing NAO investigation. So far as the Civil Service Code is concerned, Section 4.1.3c is absolutely specific that “civil servants must…29 Oct 2020HANSARDCivil Servants: Public ProcurementMy Lords, of course I have listened to what my noble friend said. Like her, I have spent a lifetime in public service in different guises and I attach the highest importance to…29 Oct 2020HANSARDCivil Servants: Public ProcurementMy Lords, the Government’s policy is to adopt and encourage greater transparency in commercial activity. Central government buyers must publish all tender documents and contracts…29 Oct 2020