HC Deb 05 March 1996 vol 273 cc122-4W
Dr. Wright

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food which of the executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department have a statutory base and which(a) admit members of the public to all board or committee meetings and (b) hold open meetings for the public; and whether in each case this is (i) under a statutory requirement or (ii) voluntarily. [16027]

Mr. Boswell

The information required is as follows(a) The regional flood defence committees are required to admit the public to their meetings under the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 by virtue of paragraph 28 of schedule 25 to the Water Act 1989. This information, which is currently being included in the Environment Act 1995 (Consequential Amendments) Regulations 1996, was unfortunately omitted from the answer given to the hon. Member for Cannock and Burntwood on 1 May 1995, Official Report, columns 78–79. (b) None of the other executive non-departmental public bodies, for which my right hon. Friend is responsible, has a statutory requirement to admit members of the public to board or committee meetings or to hold open meetings for the public. (c) However, the following arrangements are operated on a voluntary basis: Open meetings are held by the NRA to inform and consult local interests on particular flood defence interests. The Home-Grown Cereals Authority holds no formal open meetings but does hold meetings and events where the public are welcomed. The Meat and Livestock Commission holds open levy-payer meetings which may be attended by members of the public.

Dr. Wright

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department which are subject to(a) investigation b the Parliamentary Commissioner, (b) scrutiny by the Audit Commission, (c) scrutiny by the National Audit Office, (d) statutory provisions for open government, (e) performance indicators and (f) provisions under the citizens charter. [16019]

Mr. Boswell

The information required is as follows:

SUBJECT TO:

  1. (a) Investigation by the Parliamentary Commissioner
    • Agricultural Wages Committees.
  2. (b) Scrutiny by the Audit Commission
    • None.
  3. (c) Scrutiny by the National Audit Office
    • Wine Standards Board of the Vintners company
    • Agricultural Wages Committees
    • Agricultural Wages Board
    • Regional Flood Defence Committees
    • Food from Britain
    • Sea Fish Industry Authority
    • Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
    • Horticulture Research International
    • UK Register of Organic Foods
    • National Audit Office access rights to the other bodies are as follows:
    • Home-Grown Cereals Authority (in respect of publicly voted money)
    • Meat and Livestock Commission (in respect of agency work)
    • Horticultural Development Council (arrangements are under review)
    • Apple and Pear Research Council (arrangements are under review).
  4. (d) Statutory Provisions for Open Government
    • There are no statutory provisions for Open Government.
  5. (e) Performance Indicators
    • Wine Standards Board of the Vintners Company
    • Home-Grown Cereals Authority
      • 124
    • Food from Britain
    • Meat and Livestock Commission
    • Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Horticulture Research International
    • Agricultural Wages Committees
    • UK Register of Organic Foods
    • Horticultural Development Council (to appear in next annual report)
    • Milk Development Council (new body-Performance Indicators being finalised)
    • Discussions are in progress with Apple and Pear Research Council.
  6. (f) Provisions under the Citizen Charter
    • The following NDPBs have produced or are producing service statements
    • Wine Standards Board of the Vintners Company
    • Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
    • Horticulture Research International
    • Sea Fish Industry Authority
    • Home-Grown Cereals Authority
    • Agricultural Wages Board
    • Agricultural Wages Committees
    • UK Register of Organic Food Standards
    • Milk Development Council.

Food from Britain although not participating in the chartermark scheme, meets the required standards.

Dr. Wright

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food which of the executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department publish(a) annual reports, (b) annual accounts, (c) the minutes of meetings, (d) the agendas of meetings and (e) a register of members' interests, indicating in each case if this is (i) under a statutory requirement or (ii) voluntary. [16820]

Mr. Boswell

[holding answer 27 February 1996]: The annual reports and accounts of the following executive non-departmental public bodies, for which my right hon. Friend is responsible, are published:

  • Apple and Pear Research Council
  • Food from Britain
  • Home-Grown Cereals Authority
  • Wine Standards Board of the Vintners' Company
  • Horticultural Development Council
  • Horticulture Research Commission
  • Meat and Livestock Commission
  • Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
  • Sea Fish Industry Authority.

Legislation requires, in each case, that the annual report and accounts are published.

Minutes and agendas of executive non-departmental public bodies' meetings are not published. There is no statutory requirement to do so.

None of the executive non-departmental public bodies publishes a register of members' interests. There is no statutory requirement for such a register. However, details of those filling many posts are published or are available at the time of appointment. The Home-Grown Cereals Authority has drawn up a register of interests of authority members which is available for public inspection at the HGCA's offices.