HC Deb 22 May 1995 vol 260 c429W
Mr. Flynn

To ask the President of the Board of Trade which non-departmental public bodies within the responsibility of his Department are subject to scrutiny by(a) the ombudsmen, (b) the National Audit Office, (c) the Audit Commission and (d) other monitoring officers; which are covered by citizens charters; in which performance indicators apply; and in which members are liable to surcharge. [23956]

Mr. Heseltine

[holding answer 15 May 1995]: The information in relation to DTI's executive NDPBs is as follows:

  1. (a) The Coal Authority
  2. (b) The NAO's access to DTI's NDPBs is detailed in "Public Bodies 1994" which is available in the Library of the House. The newly created Coal Authority is not listed but is audited by the NAO.
  3. (c) None.
  4. (d)
    1. (i) All DTI's NDPBs are appropriately monitored by the relevant divisions of the Department.
    2. (ii) All DTI's NDPBs are encouraged to follow citizens charter principals where they are appropriate.
    3. (iii) DTI's NDPBs are encouraged to introduce performance indicators where they are appropriate. So far, the following bodies have adopted or are soon to adopt indicators:
      • Coal Authority—precise indicators to be agreed in 1995–96
      • Simpler Trade Procedures Board United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority
      • National Consumer Council—precise indicators to be agreed in 1995–96
      • Gas Consumers Council
    4. (iv) Although board members of DTI's NDPBs may in certain circumstances be liable for wrongful or negligent actions, individual members are not subject to surcharge of a statutory nature.