Appointments (Hansard, 30 March 1994)

§ Mr. Matthew Taylor
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the organisations and individuals outside his Department who are sent information on, or consulted about, individuals who are, or may be, proposed to the Minister for appointment to posts for which a Minister has to approve the person appointed or the shortlist for the appointment.

§ Mr. Norris
Lists of any such organisations and individuals are not held centrally and could be compiled only at disproportionate cost.
In general, my right hon. Friend consults the chairmen of the relevant committee or board and such consultation may, in some cases, be a statutory requirement. He will also consult professional and other organisations if necessary in order to find persons with suitable qualifications for an appointment. He has regard to the guidance on consultations with the Prime Minister and other Departments set out in Section 6 of the "Cabinet Office Guide on Public Appointments Procedures", copies of which are available in the Libraries of the House.

§ Mr. Matthew Taylor
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list each appointment for which a Minister has to approve the appointment or shortlist for the appointment, showing for each appointment(a) which Minister exercies the responsibility, (b) the salary, if any, attached to the post, (c) the term of the appointment and (d) the person currently appointed to the post.

§ Mr. Norris
Information on most of the appointments made by my right hon. Friend are shown in the Cabinet Office publication "Public Bodies 1993". Further information on these and on some other appointments is to be found in "A Handbook for Women's Organisations" published by the Women's National Commission. Copies of both documents are available in the Libraries of the House. Up-to-date lists of persons currently appointed to posts are not held centrally, but information on membership of many public bodies was provided recently in response to questions tabled by the hon. Member for Liverpool, Walton (Mr. Kilfoyle) on 27 January 1994. Further detailed information in response to the points raised by the hon. Member could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
The exercise of responsibility on behalf of my right hon. Friend is a matter for him and any delegation will vary according to the nature of the body and the appointments being made.