§ Mr. MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what proposals he has to introduce statutory guidelines for the non-departmental public bodies he sponsors to protect board members who take action to supply information to him regarding allegations of mis-spending of public money; and if he will make a statement. [17671]
§ Mr. RedwoodThe code of best practice for board members of public bodies, sent to all NDPBs in July last year, already confirms that members of an NDPB board have corporate responsibility for ensuring that the body complies with all relevant statutory or administrative requirements for the use of public funds. Any individual member who has a particular concern should raise this in the first instance with the chairman or board. An individual member has the right to raise with Ministers any matter of importance relating to his or her duty as a member of the board. Any board member who has evidence of impropriety by others should make sure it is passed on to someone who can deal with it impartially and fairly.