HC Deb 24 February 1994 vol 238 cc323-4W
Mr. Gordon Prentice

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking to secure greater transparency in the affairs of non-elected bodies whose membership in whole or in part is appointed by him or who exercise functions previously carried out by local authorities.

Mr. Baldry

Since 1991 we have published Management Statements for many of the non-departmental public bodies—NDPBs—sponsored by the Department, and are preparing statements for others. These describe the bodies' roles and responsibilities, their aims and objectives, financial management arrangements and lines of accountability to Parliament, Ministers and the public. Copies of most statements are available in the Library. In December 1993 we issued guidance to the chairmen and board members of all executive NDPBs on the exercise of their responsibilities. Housing action trusts and urban development corporations, which currently exercise some functions previously carried out by local authorities in their areas, are statutorily required to consult the relevant local authorities about their key pains and they make strenous efforts to involve the local community in their activities. The boards of housing action trusts include representatives of tenants. All executive NDPBs publish annual reports and accounts and follow the principles of the citizens charter in their dealings with the public. The provisions of the White Paper on Open Government, Cm. 2290, July 1993, also apply to public bodies.

Mr. Gordon Prentice

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment in respect of which non-elected bodies whose membership, in whole or in part, is appointed by him(a) meetings are open to the public, (b) there is scrutiny of financial procedures by independently appointed audit and (c) there are rules governing the declaration of interest.

Mr. Baldry

It is for such bodies themselves to determine how best to keep the public informed and consulted on their activities. All housing action trusts consult their tenants frequently and allow them to attend their board and committee meetings, and most urban development corporations hold open planning meetings. The accounts and financial procedures of all the executive non-departmental public bodies—NDPBs—sponsored by the Department are subject to annual scrutiny by the Comptroller and Auditor General, the Audit Commission or external auditors appointed by the Secretary of State. All executive NDPBs have rules requiring board members to declare any potential conflicts between their public duties and other interests.

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