§ Mr. Robert McCartneyTo ask the Prime Minister what is his policy with respect to making appointments to quangos and other public bodies of those who do not support(a) current Government policy and (b) that of the body concerned. [23023]
§ The Prime MinisterMinisterial appointments to executive non-departmental public bodies and to NHS bodies are subject to the Code of Practice and guidance issued by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. His guidance makes it clear that appointments to public bodies should be made on the basis of merit and candidates are expected to subscribe to the objectives of the body on which they wish to serve. It states that political affiliation should not be a criterion for appointment (except where there is a statutory requirement or in the limited instances where the nature of the body makes it important that individual political parties are represented on it). These principles apply to all public appointments.