HC Deb 23 April 2002 vol 384 c138W
Mr. Liddell-Grainger

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the political affiliations are of each member of each existing advisory panel that she appoints. [51720]

Mr. Morley

Ministerial appointments to DEFRA's advisory committees, which are non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs), fall within the remit of the Commissioner for Public Appointments and are covered by the OCPA Code of Practice. Applicants are not required to declare their political affiliation and appointment is on merit.

For other bodies such as the Rural Affairs Forum for England, we did not request nor are we aware of members' political affiliations.