§ Mr. Home RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on his policy on ministerial appointments to public bodies; if he will publish an up-to-date list of the quangos to which he nominates members, showing the level of public funding for each body and listing the individual members appointed by himself and showing any renumeration that they receive in connection with such membership; and if he will indicate any political allegiance that has been drawn to his attention in the nomination of candidates for such positions.
§ Mr. RifkindIn making appointments to public bodies, I seek to draw from all sections of the community candidates who will be able to make a significant personal contribution to the body to which they are appointed. In all cases I expect to appoint the best person available.
The list of non-departmental bodies to which I make appointments is contained in the Cabinet Office publication "Public Bodies", a copy of which is available in the Library. A new edition is to be published shortly. The list includes information about the public funding of each body and the remuneration paid to members. No consistent record is kept of the political affiliation of persons nominated for or appointed to public office.
The list of individuals appointed is too long for publication in Hansard. I will write to the hon. Member with the information requested and place a copy of my letter in the Library.