Sue Gray Report

Debate between Baroness Evans of Bowes Park and Lord Warner

Monday 31st January 2022 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Evans of Bowes Park (Con)]

I am sure there will be a lot of discussions around this issue.

[Lord Warner (CB)]

My Lords, could the noble Baroness say a little more about the setting up of a new regime in No. 10? Will Parliament be involved in any way in the selection and approval of the Permanent Secretary to head the Prime Minister’s office?

[Baroness Evans of Bowes Park (Con)]

As I said to the noble Lord, Lord Butler, I am afraid that some of these questions are jumping ahead. What I can say is what I have already said: that the Prime Minister has said he will create an office of the Prime Minister, with a Permanent Secretary. He has also said that “in the coming days”, he will say more about the steps being taken

“to improve the No. 10 operation and the work of the Cabinet Office, to strengthen Cabinet Government, and to improve the … connection between No. 10 and Parliament.”

I am afraid I cannot go further than that.