HC Deb 31 March 1994 vol 240 cc968-9W
Mr. Matthew Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage (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. Sproat

In making appointments to the public bodies for which my right hon. Friend is responsible a number of factors are carefully considered. Information about public appointments made is available in "Public Bodies 1993".

Mr. Matthew Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage (1) 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 unpaid posts for which a Minister has to approve the person or shortlist for the appointment;

(2) if he will list the organisations and individuals outside his Department who are sent information on, or consulted about, individuals who are, or may be, proposed to the Minister for appointment to posts for which a Minister has to approve the person appointed or the shortlist for the appointment;

(3) if he will list each appointment for which a Minister has to approve the appointment or shortlist for the appointment, showing for each appointment (a) which Minister exercises the responsibility, (b) the salary, if any, attached to the post, (c) the term of the appointment and (d) the person currently appointed to the post.

Mr. Sproat

Information about appointments made to public bodies which are the responsibility of the Secretary of State for National Heritage is available in "Public Bodies 1993". I also refer to the answers I gave to the hon. Member for Liverpool, Walton (Mr. Kilfoyle) on the following dates,Official Report, written answers:

Columns
924–926 4 March
101–104 22 February
23–24 21 February
1049–1050 18 February
916 17 February
790 16 February
673–674 15 February
575–576 14 February
514–515 11 February
349–351 9 February
125–126 8 February
136–137 25 January