News Corporation: Conduct of Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Debate

Full Debate: Read Full Debate
Department: Leader of the House

News Corporation: Conduct of Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport

Lord Wills Excerpts
Monday 30th April 2012

(12 years, 3 months ago)

Lords Chamber
Read Full debate Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Lord Strathclyde Portrait Lord Strathclyde
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

Yes, my Lords.

Lord Wills Portrait Lord Wills
- Hansard - -

Can the Minister explain what he understands by the extent of the responsibility of a Minister for his special advisers?

Lord Strathclyde Portrait Lord Strathclyde
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

My Lords, how can I possibly answer that at this stage? I have not seen any of the evidence any more than the noble Lord has.

Lord Wills Portrait Lord Wills
- Hansard - -

I was not asking specifically in relation to this case; I was asking generally. What does the Minister understand by the extent of a Minister’s responsibility for his special advisers?

Lord Strathclyde Portrait Lord Strathclyde
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

My Lords, that is clearly set out in the Ministerial Code. In this instance, one would expect a special adviser to stick to the agreements and instructions they had been given by their Secretary of State.