§ Sir Neil MacfarlaneTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will list the quasi-autonomous non-governmental organisations either(a) created or (b) closed, since 1979 for which he has departmental responsibility; and how many people he appoints to these bodies.
§ Mr. Parkinson[holding answer 5 April 1989]: The following non-departmental public bodies were created:
- Oil and Pipelines Agency1
- Offshore Safety and Technology Board
- Renewable Energy Advisory Committee
- Offshore Industry Advisory Board
and the following were abolished:
- Advisory Committee on Fixed Offshore Installations
- Energy Commission
- Offshore Safety Committee
- Advisory Council on Energy Conservation
In addition the Office of Gas Supply, a non-ministerial department, was established under the Gas Act 1986. The Director General of Gas Supply was appointed under the terms of the Act.
Information on appointments, excluding those relating to Ofgas, can be obtained from "Public Bodies 1988", a copy of which is in the Library of the House. Questions about the staffing of Ofgas are a matter for the Director General of Gas Supply.
1 The Oil and Pipelines Agency took over responsibility for the property, rights and liabilities of the British National Oil Corporation on 1 December 1985.