§ Dr. WrightTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security which of the executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department have(a) a statutory requirement to admit members of the public to all board of committee meetings and (b) a statutory requirement to hold open meetings for the public. [20880]
§ Mr. HagueThe Occupational Pensions Board is the only executive non-departmental public body sponsored by this Department. There is no statutory requirement to admit members of the public to its board or committee meetings. However, there is a statutory requirement, under the provisions of the Occupational Pensions Board (Determinations and Review Procedure) Regulations 1973 to hold formal public hearings, in connection with reviews of the board's determinations, unless the board for any special reasons directs otherwise. If such a hearing is held privately, a member of the Council on Tribunals is entitled to attend.