§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what new proposals he has to improve the accountability of Welsh quangos.
§ Mr. RedwoodMy ministerial colleagues and I hold regular review meetings with each Welsh executive non-departmental public body to consider targets and performance; and NDPBs are to be provided with clear statements of their responsibilities and the roles of the board and its staff and of the Department. I also expect each NDPB to adopt, with such adaptations as are appropriate to its circumstances, the recently published "Code of Best Practice for Board Members of Public Bodies", which requires public bodies and their boards
To observe the highest standards of impartiality, integrity and objectivity in relation to their stewardship of public funds.To comply with Government policy on openness and to respond to all reasonable requests for information.To be accountable to Parliament, users of services, individual citizens and staff for the activities of the bodies concerned, their stewardship of public funds and the extent to which key performance targets have been met.To maximise value for money by ensuring that services are delivered in the most efficient and economical way.
§ Mr. Ron DaviesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give the number of appointments made to quango boards by himself and each of his predecessors since 1979.
§ Mr. RedwoodThe information is not available in the form requested. However, I have appointed 46 people to executive non-departmental public bodies since 1 September 1993.
§ Mr. Ron DaviesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the quangos set up by himself and each of each predecessors since 1979.
§ Mr. RedwoodThe following executive non-departmental public bodies have been set up since 1979:
811W
Year Welsh National Board for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting 1983 Cardiff Bay Development Corporation 1987 Housing for Wales 1989 Countryside Council for Wales1 1991 Higher Education Funding Council for Wales 1992 Further Education Funding Council for Wales 1992 Wales Youth Agency 1992
Year Welsh Language Board2 1993 Arts Council for Wales 1994 Curriculum and Assessment Authority 1994 1 Assumed the function of the Countryside Commission and the Nature Conservation Council in Wales. 2 Replaced an advisory body.