§ Mr. Philip Hollandasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many non-departmental public bodies have been established or proposed by him or by his predecessor since May 1979; and how many have been abolished in the same period.
§ Sir Keith JosephMy predecessor and I have established four non-departmental public bodies and proposed another three. We have abolished four and there are proposals for the winding up or merger of another five. My right hon. Friend the Minister for the Arts and his predecessor have established three, proposed another two, and abolished one; and there are proposals to wind up or merge another four.