§ Mr. DonohoeTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what research his Department has carried out into the employment background of members of quangos operating in Scotland. [15196]
§ Mr. LangNone. I am aware of the background of persons whom I am appointing to non-departmental public bodies and NHS bodies at the time when I make the appointments.
§ Mr. DonohoeTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what procedures are adopted by his Department in recruiting individuals to the membership of quangos. [15197]
§ Mr. LangThe relevant procedures are set out in the Cabinet Office publication Guide on Public Appointment Procedures, a copy of which is available in the Library of the House. The recent Review of Guidance on Public Appointments, published on 6 February and also available in the Library, has recommended a number of changes to make these procedures more effective. The Government have accepted these recommendations and have instructed Departments to implement them, subject to any other changes which may be necessary in the light272W of the recommendations of the Committee on Standards in Public Life.
§ Mr. DonohoeTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many quangos operate within Scotland; and what is the total annual expenditure of these bodies in each year since 1978–79. [15203]
§ Mr. LangA full list of non-departmental public bodies, nationalised industries and NHS bodies sponsored by my Department at 1 April 1994 is published in the Cabinet Office publication, Public Bodies 1994, which is available in the Library of the House. A full list of non-departmental public bodies in existence for each year since 1979 is available in the following publications: Report on Non-Departmental Public Bodies—Pliatzky report, Cm 7797, January 1980; Non-Departmental Public Bodies: Facts and Figures 1980; Non-Departmental Public Bodies: Facts and Figures 1981; and Public Bodies, published annually since 1982. This publication shows the gross expenditure of each body and the amount of that expenditure funded by central government. Copies of these publications are available in the Library of the House.
§ Mr. DonohoeTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the quangos currently in operation in Scotland. [15204]
§ Mr. LangA list of the non-departmental public bodies, nationalised industries and NHS bodies sponsored by my Department at 1 April 1994 is shown in the Cabinet Office publication, Public Bodies 1994, a copy of which is available in the Library of the House.
§ Mr. DonohoeTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the quangos which have been established in Scotland in each financial year since 1978–79. [15205]
§ Mr. LangLists have been prepared centrally for each year from 1986 to 1993 of non-departmental public bodies which have been created and abolished. Copies are available in the Library of the House. Such summary data for the years 1979 to 1985 were not prepared and could be reconstructed only at disproportionate cost. Between 1 April 1993 and 1 April 1994, the following bodies were added to the list of Scottish Office-sponsored non-departmental public bodies: Scottish Arts Council, Scottish Further Education Unit, Post Qualification Board for Health Service Pharmacists in Scotland.