§ Mr. McMasterTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what advice he issues to the chairpersons and members of quangos, trusts, agencies and other bodies appointed by him as to the need for political independence in the public execution of their duties; what advice he issues to the chief executives of such bodies relating to political independence and the need to ensure rectitude in the exercise of their functions; when this advice was last given to the chairman, board members and chief executive of Scottish Homes; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. LangThere are long-standing rules on participation in political activities which members of public bodies are expected to observe and which are drawn to their attention on appointment. Additionally, a code of best practice for board members of public bodies was issued to executive non-departmental public bodies in Scotland, including Scottish Homes, in September 1994. Separate codes of conduct and accountability were issued to NHS bodies in Scotland, including NHS trusts, in April 1994. Nationalised industries and certain non-governmental trading bodies will normally apply the Cadbury code.
I do not issue specific advice to chief executives of non-departmental public bodies, most of whom are not appointed by me but by the board of the body concerned. However, those chief executives—including the chief executive of Scottish Homes—who are appointed accounting officers for their NDPBs receive a formal letter of designation from the departmental accounting officer setting out the responsibilities of an NDPB accounting officer. In some cases the contract of employment of a chief executive may cover political activities and the management statement of the body will cover the conduct of staff generally.
These arrangements do not apply to next steps agencies which operate within a different framework of accountability and control. Agency chief executives are 769W civil servants whose conduct is covered by the civil service pay and conditions code.