Theory question 104
Civil ServiceSection A
In what five ways is the civil service different from the public corporation?
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Purpose: civil service administers government policies; corporations provide services or run businesses (sometimes for profit).
Control: civil service is directly under ministers; corporations have boards of directors with some autonomy.
Finance: civil service is funded from the consolidated fund through the budget; corporations earn revenue and can borrow.
Legal basis: civil service is part of government ministries under civil service rules; corporations are set up by specific laws (statutes) and can sue and be sued.
Head: civil service is headed by permanent secretaries/Head of Service; corporations by managing directors/directors-general.
Staff: civil servants are recruited by the Civil Service Commission; corporation staff by their boards.
Revenue: ministries pay revenue into the consolidated fund; corporations keep theirs.
Five clear contrasts.