Tag: Lord Norton of Louth

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Norton of Louth on 2015-12-16.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to issue a revised response to the report from the Constitution Committee The office of Lord Chancellor (6th Report, session 2014–15, HL Paper 75).

Lord Faulks

I welcomed the opportunity to participate in the excellent debate on this issue in July of last year, and the Lord Chancellor was similarly grateful for the opportunity to discuss his role during his annual evidence session to the Committee in December. We have no plans to revise the written response provided by the previous administration to the Committee’s report.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Norton of Louth on 2015-12-16.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to introduce a Civil Service parliamentary scheme to enhance civil servants’ awareness of the role of both Houses of Parliament.

Lord Bridges of Headley

The Industry and Parliament Trust run the established Civil Service Attachment Scheme (CSAS) and Civil Service Learning endorses the use of this scheme, subject to departmental budgetary approval. This programme enables Civil Servants to shadow MPs, Peers (and MEPs where relevant) both in parliament and in their constituencies.

Civil Service Learning provide two courses that address this subject area – “Induction: An introduction to Parliament” and “Parliamentary processes”. They also provide training on taking a Bill through Parliament.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Norton of Louth on 2015-12-16.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government which minister is the lead minister in ensuring that departments comply with section 3(6) of the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010.

Lord Bridges of Headley

Section 3(6) of the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act is a requirement of the Civil Service Code. It is for individual Ministers and their Permanent Secretaries to account for civil servants’ compliance with the Code.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Norton of Louth on 2016-01-12.

To ask the Chairman of Committees how many items of correspondence were received in the Palace of Westminster in 2015; and of those, what proportion was received in the House of Lords.

Lord Laming

In total, 2,000,504 items of mail were received in the Palace of Westminster in 2015. The Administration does not count which House each item goes to but estimates that approximately 25 per cent of these items were destined for the House of Lords. These figures do not include parcels, courier items or internal mail.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Norton of Louth on 2016-06-06.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many times the Cabinet Constitutional Reform Committee has met since its appointment in May 2015.

Lord Bridges of Headley

Information relating to the proceedings of Cabinet Committees, including when and how often they meet, is generally not disclosed.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Norton of Louth on 2016-06-06.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps have been taken by the Permanent Secretary to the Cabinet Office to ensure that the Cabinet Office is compliant with section 3(6) of the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010.

Lord Bridges of Headley

The requirement of section 3(6) of the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act is set out in the Civil Service Code, which forms part of the contract of employment for all civil servants.

In the 2015 staff survey, 94% of Cabinet Office staff responded positively to a question about awareness of the Civil Service Code.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Norton of Louth on 2016-06-06.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many civil servants in the Cabinet Office have taken either or both of the e-learning courses Induction: An Introduction to Parliament” and “Parliamentary processes” offered by Civil Service Learning.”

Lord Bridges of Headley

Since its introduction in 2015, 80 Civil Servants in the Cabinet Office have taken the “Induction: An Introduction to Parliament” e-learning course offered by Civil Service Learning.

Since its introduction in 2012, 260 Civil Servants in the Cabinet Office have taken the “Parliamentary Processes” e-learning course.

Of these, 20 Cabinet Office Civil Servants have taken both courses.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Norton of Louth on 2015-12-16.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many members of the Senior Civil Service have taken courses provided by Civil Service Learning that are intended to enhance their understanding of the role of the House of Lords, in (1) 2014, and (2) 2015.

Lord Bridges of Headley

Civil Service Learning provide two e-learning courses that address this subject area – “Induction: An introduction to Parliament” and “Parliamentary processes”. They also provide face to face training on taking a Bill through Parliament, however on this training attendees are not required to provide information on their grades. Civil Service Learning also endorse and promote two relevant external courses to the Senior Civil Service – “Supporting Ministers” and “Civil Service Attachment Scheme” both provided by the Industry and Parliament Trust.

In total 80 Senior Civil Servants accessed this learning in 2014. In 2015 this number rose to 90. All numbers have been rounded to the nearest ten.