I have made clear that this Bill involves the handing over to the commission of virtually all of the Minister for Finance's functions in relation to the staffing of the office. The Minister will retain responsibility for pay and pension matters affecting Members and staff. Under section 12, the commission is required to obtain the consent of the Minister for Finance if it wishes to create posts at or above principal or higher level. The main grade above this level in the Civil Service is Assistant Secretary General, at which level there is a relatively small number of office holders. It is important that no local arrangement should lead to a dilution of the quantity and quality of work normally attaching to such posts. It is the Minister's intention to operate this unusual arrangement by sanctioning such posts only where he is satisfied that there is consistency in the work being carried out at that level across all Government offices.