HC Deb 06 July 1994 vol 246 cc233-5W
Mr. Kilfoyle

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the advisory bodies which he has set up in his Department since the publication of "Public Bodies 1993".

Mr. Redwood

The only advisory body set up in Wales since the publication of "Public Bodies 1993" last December is the Welsh Economic Council.

Mr. Kilfoyle

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list his Department's advisory non-departmental public bodies which are required to publish their advice to Government.

Mr. Redwood

None of the advisory NDPBs sponsored by the Welsh Office is required by statute to publish its advice to Government; however, they may choose to do so and some do. The objective, for example, of the housing management advisory panel is to produce good practice guidance in housing management aimed primarily at local authorities; this guidance is published.

Mr. Kilfoyle

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales which of the advisory non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department are required to lay their annual reports before Parliament; and if he will list them.

Mr. Redwood

The list is as follows:

  • Ancient Monuments Board for Wales
  • Historic Buildings Council for Wales
  • Library and Information Services Council (Wales)

In addition, the National Rivers Authority advisory committee for Wales, although not required to do so by statute, does publish an annual report, copies of which are placed in the Library of the House.

Mr. Kilfoyle

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list his Department's advisory non-departmental public bodies which are required to produce annual reports.

Mr. Redwood

The following advisory NDPBs sponsored by the Welsh Office are required to produce annual reports:

  • Ancient Monuments Board for Wales
  • Historic Buildings Council for Wales
  • Library and Information Services Council (Wales)
  • Welsh Committee for Postgraduate Pharmaceutical Education
  • Welsh Committee for Postgraduate Medical and Dental Education
  • Welsh Medical Committee
  • Welsh Dental Committee
  • Welsh Nursing and Midwifery Committee
  • Welsh Optical Committee
  • Welsh Pharmaceutical Committee
  • Welsh Scientific Advisory Committee

In addition, the National Rivers Authority Advisory Committee for Wales, although not required to do so by statute, does publish an annual report.

Mr. Kilfoyle

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales which of the advisory non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department have a statutory basis; and if he will list them.

Mr. Redwood

The following advisory NDPBs sponsored by the Welsh Office have a statutory basis, as indicated:

National Rivers Authority Advisory Committee for Wales (Section 6 of the Water Resources Act 1991.)

Agricultural Dwelling House Advisory Committees (Of which there are 6 in Wales, established under the Rent (Agriculture) Act 1976.)

Ancient Monuments Board for Wales (First constituted under the Ancient Monuments Consolidation and Amendment Act 1913, now constituted under Section 22 of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979.)

Hill Farming Advisory Sub-Committee for Wales (Section 32 of the Hill Farming Act 1946.)

Historic Buildings Council for Wales (Section 3 of Part 1 of the Historic Buildings and Ancient Monuments Act 1953.)

Library and Information Services Council (Wales) (Section 2 of the Public Libraries and Museum Act 1964); Local Government Boundary Commission for Wales (Section 53) of the Local Government Act 1972.)

Welsh Committee for Postgraduate Pharmaceutical Education and Welsh Committee for Postgraduate Medical and Dental Education (Recognised under Section 2(b) of the National Health Service Act 1977.)

Welsh Medical Committee

Welsh Dental Committee

Welsh Nursing and Midwifery Committee

Welsh Optical Committee

Welsh Pharmaceutical Committee and Welsh Scientific Advisory Committee (All recognised under the NHS Reorganisation Act 1973, Sections 5 and 6 Appropriation Act.)

In addition, the Mental Handicap Advisory Panel has no statutory basis, however I have powers under section 2 of the National Health Services Act 1977 to provide such services as are appropriate to assist me in discharging my duties.

Mr. Kilfoyle

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list those of his Department's advisory non-departmental public bodies which the Government are required to consult before legislation proposals; and in respect of which bodies the Government must publish their response to advice supplied to them.

Mr. Redwood

There is no statutory requirement to consult any of the advisory NDPBs prior to legislation proposals, however I may choose to do so.