Non-departmental Public Bodies (Hansard, 20 October 1998)

HC Deb 20 October 1998 vol 317 c1087W 1087W

§ 13. Jackie Ballard
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to give local authorities the power and responsibility to scrutinise non-departmental public bodies. [54338]

§ Mr. Raynsford
On 30 July, my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister published a White Paper "Modern Local Government: In Touch with the People" which welcomed the steps taken by some councils to convene public forums to enable issues of particular local concern or interest to be aired and considered. We are keen to encourage all councils to take on this local scrutiny role but do not wish to be prescriptive about the way in which they go about doing so.