THE DEPARTMENT AND THE COMMITTEE
6. While we were pleased at the very positive response
from Ministers and officials in terms of their attendance at Committee
hearings, we were on occasion disappointed with the quality of
the responses we received when we requested specific information.
This was particularly in relation to our questions on the postponement
of the report of the Lyons Review of local government funding,
and on the cost of housing-related infrastructure. It appeared
to us in these cases that there was a reluctance to disclose information.[3]
When we drew this to the attention of the new Permanent Secretary,
Mr Housden agreed that the Department should respond to the
Committee's requests for information fully, swiftly, and in a
form which meets the Committee's needs.[4]
We welcome this assurance that in future the Department will engage
positively with the process of scrutiny.
3 See QQ38-41, 76-77; also QQ151-152, 176-184 Back
4
HC 680 (2005-06), Q7 Back
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