HC Deb 27 April 1978 vol 948 cc642-3W
Mr. James Johnson

asked the Minister for the Civil Service how many fringe public bodies are currently in being and actively operating; and on what basis the salaries of the staffs in these bodies are determined.

Mr. Charles R. Morris

There is no single agreed definition of the term "fringe body" which, depending on the purpose required, has been used to describe a wide range or organisations with greatly differing constitutions, powers and relationships to Government. No figure for fringe bodies would therefore be meaningful, but the number whose staffs' salaries and other conditions of service are subject to ministerial control is 171. While the circumstances in particular cases may require special arrangements, as a general rule such controls are exercised in the case of those bodies which receive 50 per cent. or more of their income from public funds.

The salaries of staff in most fringe bodies under ministerial control are linked to those of comparable grades in the Home Civil Service or other suitable public sector models, depending on the nature of their work. The salaries of the staffs of the industrial training boards, however, generally follow salary movements in the industries concerned.