HC Deb 31 January 1995 vol 253 cc661-2W
Dr. Wright

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland which of the advisory non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department (i) hold open meetings, (ii) conduct public consultation exercises, (iii) conduct consultation exercises with outside commercial interest, (iv) publish a register of members' interests, (v) publish agendas for meetings and (vi) publish the minutes of meetings; and whether this is in each case(a) under a statutory requirement or (b) voluntary.

Mr. Lang

[holding answer 16 December 1994]: The information requested by the hon. Member is as follows:

  1. (i) In the case of children's panel advisory committees, the meetings are open to the public but discussions relating to confidential matters affecting children's panels or individual panel members or candidates are taken in private.
  2. (ii) The Boundary Commission for Scotland conducts public consultation exercises by publicising proposed changes to electoral boundaries and holds inquiries under the Parliamentary Constituency Act 1986. The Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland also publicises its proposals and holds local inquiries under section 19 of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973. Local inquiries usually take place where there are major differences of opinion about the commission's proposals.
  3. (iii) No consultation exercises are held by any advisory non-departmental public body sponsored by my Department with outside commercial interests.
  4. (iv) No advisory non-departmental public body sponsored by my Department holds a register of members' interests.
  5. (v) Agendas of meetings of children's panel advisory committees are available to the public if required.
  6. (vi) Minutes of meeting of children's panel advisory committees are available to the public if required. Subject to confidential matters concerning individuals not being available, the boundary commission would be willing to consider making minutes of meetings available to interested parties.

The requirement for children's panel advisory committees to make available the information recorded above is not statutory. The requirement for the Boundary Commission for Scotland and the Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland to publicise their proposals is statutory.

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