Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, for what reason the Press Recognition Panel was added to his Ministerial responsibilities; and what assessment he has made of the effect of that decision on the work of the Panel.

The Royal Charter establishing the Press Recognition Panel sets out the responsibilities of the Lord Chancellor. Other than in his role as Lord Chancellor, the Secretary of State for Justice does not have any ministerial responsibilities in respect of the Panel.

HM Treasury determined that the Press Recognition Panel should fall under the Ministry of Justice Departmental Boundary for Estimates and Accounts purposes, this is purely an administrative action. There is no charge in terms of the Lord Chancellor's responsibilities as set out in the Royal Charter, and the Panel remains outside the Secretary of State's responsibilities.