Scotland: Civil Service

Lord Hughes of Woodside Excerpts

Thursday 6th October 2011 Lords Chamber

[Lord Wallace of Saltaire]

I am never sure about Caesar’s wife. One of the things I have learned in government is that special advisers—political advisers—are a very useful way of maintaining the distinction between what is political and what is impartial Civil Service advice. That is a distinction that I think everyone here—and, I hope, everyone in Edinburgh—wishes to maintain.

[Lord Hughes of Woodside]

This is asking the wrong question. The question is not whether there should or should not be a political debate. We are all agreed on that. The problem is that of civil servants entering that political debate. That should not happen, ever. The Minister should make that absolutely clear.

[Lord Wallace of Saltaire]

I entirely agree with that. Discussions are under way to ensure that the Civil Service remains impartial.