§ Mr. McGradyTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the membership of each(a) statutory and (b) non-statutory board and body established in Northern Ireland between 1 April 1973 and 31 March 1995. [14621]
§ Sir John WheelerNorthern Ireland Departments maintain records of the membership of statutory and non-statutory boards and bodies for which they are responsible. The provision of this information from 1 April 1973 to 31 December 1994 could be given only at disproportionate cost. The membership of public bodies in Northern Ireland on 1 January 1995 is in the Northern Ireland public appointments list, which is available in the House of Commons Library. This list will be updated at 31 March 1996.
§ Mr. MallonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what are(a) the criteria and (b) the procedures for public appointments. [14631]
§ Sir John WheelerAll public appointments are governed by the overriding principle of selection based on merit, by the well-informed choice of individuals who, through their abilities, experience and qualities, match the needs of the public bodies in question. Board members must be committed to the principles and values of public service and be prepared to perform their duties with integrity.
The procedures followed by NI Departments when making public appointments are as follows:
a specification is drawn up both for the appointment and for the person(s) required to fill it;a field of candidates is identified by a combination of using the central appointments database, advertising (where appropriate) and consultation with interested outside bodies;candidates are shortlisted based on merit, with the aim of achieving a balance of relevant skills and background and recommended to the appropriate Minister.However, these procedures will be revised to take account of the appointment of the Commissioner for Public Appointments, Sir Len Peach.
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