HC Deb 29 March 1994 vol 240 cc720-1W
Mr. Matthew Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the organisations and individuals who have been asked, since June 1992, to submit names of individuals to be considered for appointments to paid and upaid posts for which a Minister has to approve the person or shortlist for the appointment.

Mr. Norris

Names of candidates for appointments are obtained from the public appointments unit and from a wide range of other sources such as those described in section 4 of the Cabinet Office guide on public appointments procedures, copies of which are available in the Library of the House. Information on which bodies have been invited to submit names for particular appointments is not held centrally and could be assembled in respect of all appointments made by my right hon. Friend only at disproportionate cost.

Mr. Matthew Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what information his Department holds or obtains relating to individuals who have been appointed, or may be considered for appointment, to paid or unpaid posts for which a Minister has to approve the person or shortlist for the appointment, in particular relating to active involvement in(a) extreme left-wing organisations, (b) extreme right-wing organisations and (c) involvement in any of the political parties represented in the House of Commons;

(2) what procedures his Department has to prevent the possible appointment of individuals with extreme political views to posts for which a Minister has to approve the person or shortlist for the appointment.

Mr. Norris

My right hon. Friend does not seek information on involvement in political activities when considering candidates for public appointments, and no such information is held centrally within the Department. Where the rules on political activities referred to in paragraph 7.2 and annexe 7A of the Cabinet Office guide on public appointments procedures apply, they are drawn to the candidate's attention when the appointment is offered. It is then for the individual to decide whether to accept the appointment on these terms.