HC Deb 19 December 1994 vol 251 cc912-3W
Dr. Wright

To ask the President of the Board of Trade which of the advisory non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department (i) hold open meetings, (ii) conduct public consultation exercises, (iii) conduct consultation exercises with outside commercial interests, (iv) publish a register of members' interests, (v) publish agendas for meetings and (vi) publish the minutes of meetings; and whether this is in each case(a) under a statutory requirement or (b) voluntary.

Mr. Heseltine

[holding answer 16 December 1994]: A list of advisory non-departmental public bodies sponsored by my Department is set out in the annual publication "Public Bodies", copies of which are in the Library of the House. These bodies are consulted by the Department on a wide range of issues and provide a valuable source of independent advice.

These answers to the individual questions are:

  1. (i) none.
  2. (ii) and (iii) none. However my Department, who normally provide the secretariat to the advisory NDPBs, conduct public 913 consultation exercises when appropriate; and the committee members themselves may consult other parties informally.
  3. (iv) none.
  4. (v) none.
  5. (vi) none.