Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Lord Maude of Horsham and Valerie Vaz

Wednesday 11th February 2015 Commons Chamber

[Mr Maude]

It sounds like the hon. Gentleman is getting a little concerned about the result of the upcoming election. The Government are disclosing more about what Ministers do than any Government have ever done before, and enormously more than the Government whom he supported before 2010.

[Valerie Vaz (Walsall South) (Lab)]

3. What his policy is on promoting the formation of public sector mutuals.

[The Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General (Mr Francis Maude)]

The Government are committed to supporting the growth of public service mutuals, which deliver benefits to front-line staff, commissioners and service users. There are now more than 100 live mutuals delivering well over £1.5 billion of public services, and more than 35,000 staff have themselves taken the decision to join a mutual.

[Valerie Vaz]

I thank the Minister for his answer, but with the flagship mutual, Hinchingbrooke hospital, in special measures, will the Minister say whose idea it was to write to all the foundation and NHS trusts asking them to be pathfinder mutuals, and how many people have replied?

Civil Service Reform

Debate between Lord Maude of Horsham and Valerie Vaz

Tuesday 19th June 2012 Commons Chamber

[Mr Maude]

That is a valuable point, which we address. Such development is available and possible, but it happens to a much lesser extent than is desirable. Exposure to different worlds and different experiences can enrich the ability of senior civil servants to deliver effectively for citizens.

[Valerie Vaz (Walsall South) (Lab)]

The Minister referred to a central fund. How much will be in it, and will it come from separate Departments? Will he be using a tendering process, or will he just be appointing one particular person?

[Mr Maude]

It is a modest fund of £500,000 from the Cabinet Office, to be matched by Departments, if they want to bid to use it. I would not generally expect there to be a single appointment. Under the circumstances, we would want to get different groups in to pitch their ideas for how they would develop the work and so on. However, these are early stages. We want to explore how to do the work effectively, but we think it is worth pursuing.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Lord Maude of Horsham and Valerie Vaz

Wednesday 13th June 2012 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Order. It is very unfair on the Minister that he is not being heard. He should be heard, as should all Members.

[Valerie Vaz (Walsall South) (Lab)]

T4. The Government have sold off 250 freeholds of the nation’s buildings and land. If they are going to continue to do that, will the Minister ensure that there is a covenant in the conveyancing to ensure that the public have access to public land?

[Mr Maude]

I will look at the issue that the hon. Lady raises. If she has particular concerns about property to which public access should be guaranteed and is not, we will no doubt want to consider the matter.