Union welcomes calls to strengthen foundations of civil service - 23 June 2003

The FDA today welcomed the publication of the Civil Service Commissioners' annual report and the call by First Civil Service Commissioner Baroness Usha Prashar to ensure that the values on which the civil service is founded - integrity, honesty, impartiality and objectivity, and appointment on merit - are not eroded. FDA general secretary Jonathan Baume said it underlined further the consensus that now existed on the need for a Civil Service Act. Baume said: "The government has repeatedly committed itself to supporting a Civil Service Act. The Public Administration Select Committee, the Committee on Standards in Public Life and the Office of the Civil Service Commissioners have all indicated their support for a Civil Service Act. It is time that the government and Sir Andrew Turnbull stopped their equivocation and took positive steps towards legislation."

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Notes for Editors
1. The FDA is the trade union and professional body representing the UK's 11,000 senior civil and public servants. Our members include policy advisors, senior managers, tax inspectors, economists, statisticians, accountants, special advisers, government lawyers, crown prosecutors and NHS managers.

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