Public Appointments

HC Deb 28 January 2002 vol 379 cc91-2W

Llew Smith

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what account is taken of political affiliation in making appointments to non-departmental public bodies. [31060]

Mr. Leslie

While information on the political affiliation of candidates is not collected, the Commissioner for Public Appointments' Code of Practice requires information on political activity to be collected. In a small minority of cases there may be a need to create a political balance. This can usually be achieved by asking political parties to nominate candidates.