§ Mrs. Helen JacksonTo ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what liaison occurs between his Department and regulatory authorities on the making and termination of appointments;
(2) under what circumstances he has the power to veto an appointment made by regulatory authorities.
§ Mr. Eggar[holding answer 25 April 1994]: My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade is responsible for the appointments of the Director Generals of Electricity, Gas Supply and Telecommunications. The Director Generals are responsible for the appointment of their own staff.
§ Mrs. Helen JacksonTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what guidelines are issued to regulatory authorities on how to(a) make and (b) terminate appointments.
§ Mr. EggarOFFER, Ofgas and Oftel operate under the terms of the civil service management code in relation to staff appointments in the same way as any Government Department.
§ Mrs. Helen JacksonTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the occasions on which the National Audit Office has been asked by his Department to look into the circumstances surrounding appointments or dismissals made by a regulatory authority.
§ Mrs. Helen JacksonTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps he takes to ensure that there is no conflict of interest in appointments made by regulatory bodies.