HC Deb 01 May 1995 vol 259 cc10-1W
Dr. Wright

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department which are subject (a) to investigation by the Parliamentary Commissioner, (b) scrutiny by the Audit Commission, (c) scrutiny by the National Audit Office, (d) statutory provisions for open government, (e)performance indicators and (f) provisions under the citizens charter. [20663]

Mr. Lang

[holding answer 25 April 1995]. The information requested is as follows: (a) Crofters Commission, new town development corporations, Red Deer Commission, Scottish Arts Council, Scottish Homes, Scottish Legal Aid board, Scottish Medical Practices committee, Scottish Natural Heritage, Scottish Sports Council, Scottish tourist board:

  1. (b) None, as the Audit Commission does not operate in Scotland. Its Scottish equivalent is the Accounts Commission for Scotland, which scrutinises the accounts of the seven Scottish river purification boards;
  2. (c) this information is listed in the Cabinet Office publication "Public Bodies 1994"; a copy of which is available in the Library of the House;
  3. (d) none, although following publication last year of the "Code of Best Practice for Board Members of Public Bodies", the Scottish version of which was published in September 1994 and a copy of which is in the Library of the House, all executive NDPBs have been asked to comply with all reasonable requests for information from Parliament, users of services and individual citizens.
  4. (e) Performance indicators are part of the management statement or corporate plan for each NDPB;
  5. (f) the citizens charter applies to all public services, including NDPBs. NDPBs serving the public, including those sponsored by my Department, are therefore expected to meet the charter standards.
Dr Wright

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland 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 or committee meetings and (b) a statutory requirement to hold open meetings for the public. [20881]

Mr. Lang

[holding answer 26 April 1995]: The information requested is as follows: (a) none; (b) none.

Forward to