HC Deb 06 July 1993 vol 228 cc91-3W
Mr. Meacher

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department to whom each of the executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department is responsible; whether the public bodies or their members in each case are subject to(a) surcharge, (b) investigation by the Parliamentary Commissioner, (c) scrutiny by the Audit Commission or National Audit Office, (d) the statutory provisions for open government which apply to local authorities, (e) performance indicators and (f) provisions under the citizens charters; and whether the chairpersons and members of the boards of each of these bodies are required to declare an interest.

Mr. Howard

The executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by the Home Office are as follows:

  • Alcohol Education and Research Council*
  • Commission for Racial Equality
  • Community Development Foundation*
  • Fire Service Examination Board
  • Fire Service Research and Training Trust*
  • Gaming Board
  • Horserace Betting Levy Board
  • Horserace Totalisator Board
  • Office of the Data Protection Registrar
  • Police Complaints Authority
  • Police Promotion Examinations Board
  • * Indicates a charity

In addition, the Home Office sponsors the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board, which performs some executive functions.

The readily available information on these bodies is as follows:—

Responsibility

Chairmen and members are appointed by the Home Secretary and are ultimately responsible through him to Parliament.

Surcharge

NDPB members are not subject to 'surcharge'. However, in the case of those NDPBs which are charities Trustees have potential financial liabilities under the Charities Act 1992.

Investigation by Parliamentary Commissioner The Commission for Racial Equality, the Horserace Betting Levy Board and the Office of the Data Protection Registrar are listed in schedule 2 to the Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1967, as amended, as among those bodies subject to investigation by the PCA.

Scrutiny by the Audit Commission or National Audit Office The Audit Commission has responsibility only for local government. The following bodies are subject to NAO scrutiny either by statute or by agreement:

  • Criminal Injuries Compensation Board
  • Community Development Foundation
  • Commission for Racial Equality
  • Gaming Board
  • Office of the Data Protection Registrar
  • Police Complaints Authority

Statutory provisions for open Government which apply to local authorities NDPBs are subject to the provisions of the Data Protection Act 1984. They are not subject to legislation which specifically applies to local authorities.

Performance Indicators NDPBs are encouraged, wherever appropriate, to develop performance indicators and associated targets and to publish these.

Citizens Charter The Home Office is encouraging those NDPBs which offer a service to the public to adopt the principles set out in the citizens charter and to publicise how these are being reflected in their working arrangements.

Declaration of Interests There are no statutory requirements for members or chairpersons to declare an interest. Nevertheless, in those bodies where a potential conflict of interest might arise, arrangements have been made to ensure propriety.

Forward to