§ Mr. TouhigTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many people in Wales have been approached in the last two years with regard to service on quangos; how they were selected; how many indicated they were members of(a) the Labour party and (b) the Conservative party; and 112W how many (i) Labour party members and (ii) Conservative party members who expressed a willingness to serve were subsequently appointed. [37211]
§ Mr. HagueI and my predecessor have made 597 appointments to non-departmental public bodies since 1 September 1993. Details of all appointments by Welsh Office Ministers are held in the Library of the House and updated quarterly. Appointments are made on merit. Candidates are drawn largely from the Welsh Office register of candidates. In addition to self-nominations, names of people willing to serve on a public body are regularly canvassed through advertisements in Welsh newspapers and by letters to professional, public sector and community organisations. I welcome candidates from all sources. Candidates are not currently required to declare any political affiliation: information is not therefore available in the form requested.