§ Mr. Philip Hollandasked the Minister for the Civil Service whether further guidance is to be given to Departments about the implementation of the Government's policies towards non-departmental public bodies.
§ Mr. Hayhoe:I am today publishing "Non-Departmental Public Bodies: A Guide for Departments". The guide emphasises the responsibilities of Departments to ensure that these bodies achieve the highest standards of effectiveness, efficiency and economy. To this end it discusses the systems of control and accountability required by Departments and also internally by non-departmental public bodies.
I believe that by defining the regime under which these bodies operate, we can help them to be more effective in achieving the purposes for which they were established and in minimising calls upon the public purse.