HC Deb 13 December 1994 vol 251 cc571-2W
Mr. Fatchett

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many quangos his Department was responsible for(a) in 1979 and (b) in the latest year for which a number is available;

(2) if he will list (a) those quangos his Department has abolished since 1979 and (b) those quangos established since 1977.

Mr. Soames

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Scarborough (Mr. Skyes) on 25 November 1994,Official Report, column 458. No records are available prior to 1979.

Mr. Fatchett

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of quangos to which he is responsible for appointing members are employed by companies which supply his Department.

Mr. Soames

The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Mr. Fatchett

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many members of quangos to which he is responsible for appointing members have previously served as councillors representing(a) the Conservative party, (b) the Labour party and (c) the Liberal Democrat party;

(2) how many members of quangos to which he is responsible for appointing members have stood as candidates for boroughs, city, district or county councils for (a) the Conservative party, (b) the Labour party and (c) the Liberal Democrat party;

(3) how many members of quangos to which he is responsible for appointing members have stood as parliamentary candidates for (a) the Conservative party; (b) the Labour party and (c) the Liberal Democrat party;

(4) how many known members of (a) the Conservative party, (b) the Labour party and (c) the Liberal Democrat party currently serve on quangos to which he is responsible for appointing members;

(5) how many members of quangos to which he is responsible for appointing members currently serve as councillors representing (a) the Conservative party, (b) the Labour party and (c) the Liberal Democrat party.

Mr. Soames

Members of Ministry of Defence non-departmental public bodies are appointed on the basis of suitability and merit. Information on members' political allegiance and record is neither sought nor held and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.