HC Deb 25 April 1995 vol 258 cc411-2W
Dr. Wright

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster which of the executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department publish(a) annual reports, (b) annual accounts, (c) the minutes of meetings, (d) the agendas of meetings and (e) registers of members' interests; and whether in each case this is (i) under a statutory requirement or (ii) voluntary. [20493]

Mr. Horam

The executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by the Office of Public Service and Science are as follows:

  • Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
  • The Council for the Central Laboratory of the Research Councils
  • Economic and Social Research Council
  • Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
  • Medical Research Council
  • Natural Environment Research Council
  • Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council.

The research councils are responsible to my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. Each council is required under the terms of the Science and Technology Act 1965 to publish an annual report and annual accounts. None of the councils is required to publish minutes or agendas of council meetings or registers of its members' interests.

Dr. Wright

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list the executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department which are subject to(a) investigation by the Parliamentary Commissioner, (b) scrutiny by the Audit Commission, (c) scrutiny by the National Audit Office, (d) statutory provisions for open government, (e) performance indicators and (f) provisions under the citizens charter. [20652]

Mr. Horam

The executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by the Office of Public Service and Science are as follows:

  • Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
  • Council for the Central Laboratory of the Research Councils
  • Economic and Social Research Council
  • Medical Research Council
  • Natural Environment Research Council
  • Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council

The research councils are responsible to my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.

  1. (a) The councils are subject to investigation by the Parliamentary Commissioner;
  2. (b) the councils are not subject to scrutiny by the Audit Commission;
  3. (c) the councils are subject to scrutiny by the National Audit Office;
  4. (d) there are no statutory provisions, but the code of practice on open government applies to all councils; each council is required, under the terms of the Science and Technology Act 1965, to publish an annual report and annual accounts.
  5. (e) the councils publish performance indicators in their annual corporate plans;
  6. (f) the councils are encouraged to adopt charter principles.

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