Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to page 57 of the Information Commission's office's annual report 2014-15, under what statutory provision the Treasury imposes a financial penalty on that office; how the amount of that penalty was arrived at; and if he will make a statement.

HM Treasury does not require statutory provision to impose a financial penalty on a department. Rather, it is within the Treasury’s remit to set policy relating to public funds, for example the Civil Service Pay Guidance, a breach of which provides the authority to impose appropriate administrative sanctions at its discretion.

A financial penalty was imposed on the Information Commissioner’s Office of £18,400 for a breach of the Civil Service Pay Guidance relating to the salary increases of two Executive Team members. A statement was made publically in the Information Commissioner’s 2014/15 annual report.