§ Dr. MarekTo ask the Minister for the Civil Service what changes in accountability have taken place in the relationship between agencies and non-departmental public bodies in those instances where an agency has replaced the Department as the sponsoring body.
§ Mr. MellorThe position on ministerial accountability to Parliament remains unchanged: Ministers remain accountable to Parliament for non-departmental public bodies which are sponsored by an agency.
§ Dr. MarekTo ask the Minister for the Civil Service if he will make a statement on the criteria used to decide whether a unit of central Government is suitable for agency status under the "next steps" programme.
§ Mr. MellorI refer the hon. Member to the statement made to the House by my right hon. Friend the Prime 683W Minister on 18 February 1988 at col. 1149. There are currently 34 Next Steps agencies, and the identification of further candidates among the executive functions of Government will continue.