Asked by: Lord Macpherson of Earl's Court (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether any meeting took place between the then Cabinet Secretary and Lex Greensill on 7 November 2017; and if so, what record exists of that meeting.
Answered by Lord Agnew of Oulton
The then Cabinet Secretary and Lex Greensill met on 7 November 2017, as detailed in the relevant transparency return. The Cabinet Office does not hold a written record of the meeting.
Asked by: Lord Macpherson of Earl's Court (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government on what occasions since 1 January 2012 Cabinet Office officials have met Lex Greensill.
Answered by Lord True - Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal
In line with the practice of successive administrations, details of internal meetings are not normally disclosed.
Details of Cabinet Office senior official (Permanent Secretary) meetings with external organisations are published on a quarterly basis, and are available on GOV.UK.
Asked by: Lord Macpherson of Earl's Court (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the Crown Commercial Service was consulted on the decision by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to let a contract to Faculty.
Answered by Lord True - Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal
The contract in question was awarded by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and there was no requirement for the Department to engage with the Crown Commercial Service prior to the award of this contract. Further details are published on ContractsFinder, in line with the Government's transparency agenda.
Asked by: Lord Macpherson of Earl's Court (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans, if any, they have to strengthen the business appointment process for former ministers and civil servants.
Answered by Lord Young of Cookham
The Government’s view remains that the current Business Appointment Rules system provides the right balance between preventing conflicts of interest, and ensuring the public sector can attract the skills and capability it needs, whilst also recognising the common law freedoms of individuals to earn a living without unreasonable hindrance.
However, as set out in the Government response to the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee’s most recent report on the subject, we have introduced a number of administrative changes to strengthen the process at a Departmental level, and ensure consistency in the way the Rules are applied. This includes issuing new guidance to Departments on administering the Rules, and requiring the Chairs of Departmental Audit and Risk Committees to take responsibility for monitoring compliance with the Rules as part of their existing governance processes.
The full Government response is attached.
Asked by: Lord Macpherson of Earl's Court (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many former (1) ministers, and (2) civil servants have taken up business appointments without getting approval from the Prime Minister and Advisory Committee on Business Appointments since 2015.
Answered by Lord Young of Cookham
The Advisory Committee on Business Appointments publish details of all advice given to former ministers and senior civil servants on their website, including where they are aware of a breach of the process. However the specific information requested is not recorded centrally.