Question Author
Thanks for all your inputs to a lively debate!
Of course, I knew the answer before I posed the question. That is, that governments are masters of the �do as I say, not as I do� routine and are immune from the consequences of their mistakes (unless they affect foreigners, criminals or foreign criminals).
Of course, Mrs T it is quite right. It is pointless fining taxpayer funded bodies. That, though, does not stop the EU fining its member states (i.e. the taxpayer) for perceived transgressions of some of its ridiculous regulations, nor did it prevent the Metropolitan Police (i.e. the taxpayer) recently being fined for Health and Safety irregularities. There are many other examples too numerous to mention.
I don�t really know the solution to this problem, but raised the question because I believe it demonstrates that hypocrisy of the highest order exists within government. (And before you leap to Gordon�s defence, I don�t mean just this one, but governments of all persuasions).