Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Government Agencies: Transparency of Decisions

Thursday 25 November 2021 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Cabinet Office's tailored review programme ran from 2015 to 2020, focusing on transparency in over 100 bodies.
  • Ministers and officials have engaged extensively with the aviation and travel industries throughout the pandemic.
  • The National Audit Office did not find issues as suggested regarding the VIP lane.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Huw Merriman Con
Standards & Ethics
Context

The question follows a period during which there have been concerns over the transparency and accountability of decisions made by various Government agencies.

Question

What recent assessment has the Government made of the transparency of decisions taken by Government agencies?

Answer from Nigel Adams

The Cabinet Office's tailored review programme ran from 2015 to 2020, considering transparency in its review of over 100 bodies. A new series of public body reviews focuses on governance, accountability, efficacy and efficiency.

Answered
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Q2 Huw Merriman Con
Immigration Business & Trade
Context

During a trip to Berlin, the Transport Committee observed how German officials collaborated closely with industry stakeholders in forming international travel rules. In contrast, UK decision-makers faced legal challenges that hindered clear communication with the industry.

Question

How can the new review approach facilitate better collaboration between public and private sectors to understand rule-making processes?

Answer from Nigel Adams

Ministers and officials have engaged extensively with the aviation and travel industries throughout the pandemic. A review of international travel policy early in the new year will aim to provide clarity and certainty for spring and summer 2022 seasons.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask about better collaboration between public and private sectors was not fully addressed with a concrete plan or timeline.

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Q3 Alan Brown SNP
Standards & Ethics
Context

The Government has been criticised for lacking transparency regarding the awarding of contracts through a VIP lane, which allegedly favoured certain businesses linked to Conservative Party figures.

Question

Why did the UK Government fight so hard to keep information about the VIP lane from being revealed?

Answer from Nigel Adams

The National Audit Office did not find issues as suggested. The UK is committed to transparency per action 24 in “Declaration on Government Reform”. A series of Department-led public body reviews will ensure accountability.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific issue regarding the resistance to disclose VIP lane information was evaded without addressing it directly.

How: National Audit Office Findings Were Used To Deflect

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