Frank Stacey Memorial Lecture,1987: Civil Servants and their Ministers

Abstract

This paper suggests that the accepted textbook views on minister and civil servant relations rest on vague references in the traditional sources. These gaps have not been filled by the recent Parliamentary Report and Government statements. Civil Servants may have some duty to serve the public interest. This duty may be distinguishable from their service to a particular department. This public interest defence might be relevant to the Spy Catcher case.