HC Deb 24 July 2000 vol 354 cc444-5W
Mr. Baker

To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to the answer of 13 July 2000,Official Report, column 663W, on lords lieutenant, what recent assessment he has made of the system for appointing deputy lords lieutenant. [132331]

Mr. Mike O'Brien

I have been asked to reply.

Under section 2 of the Lieutenancies Act 1997, the lord lieutenant of a county or area shall appoint such persons as he thinks fit to be his deputy lieutenants, subject to the non-disapprobation of the Queen. The Act, which was granted Royal Assent on 19 March 1997, repealed parts of the Reserve Forces Act 1980, including those relating to lord lieutenants and deputy lieutenants. There are at present no plans to change the system of appointing deputy lieutenants.