HC Deb 22 February 1996 vol 272 cc259-60W
Dr. Wright

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department which are subject to(a) 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. [16015]

Sir Paul Beresford

The executive non-departmental bodies sponsored by my Department are listed in the Cabinet Office publication "Public Bodies 1995". A copy is available in the House of Commons Library.

I refer the hon. Member to my answer to him on Tuesday 25 April 1995, Official Report, column 474–75. Since then, Letchworth garden city corporation has ceased to be a public body and Leeds development corporation has been wound up. Otherwise, the position in respect of the bodies covered by that answer remains unchanged.

Two new executive NDPBs have been established since April 1995, and my Department has taken on responsibility for the Health and Safety Commission and Executive. The local government residuary body is subject to the scrutiny of the Audit Commission. The Health and Safety Commission and Executive and the Environment Agency are subject to scrutiny by the National Audit Office. All four bodies are subject to the scrutiny of the Parliamentary Commissioner and are expected to adopt a code of practice on open government, have key performance measures and abide by the citizens charter.

Dr. Wright

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment which of the executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department have a statutory base and which(a) admit members of the public to all board or committee meetings and (b) hold open meetings for the public; and whether in each case this is (i) under a statutory requirement or (ii) voluntarily. [16031]

Sir Paul Beresford

A list of my Department's executive non-departmental public bodies can be found in the Cabinet Office publication "Public Bodies 1995". A copy is available in the House of Commons Library. All of these except the National Forest Company and the British Board of Agrement have a specific statutory base. None of my Department's executive NDPBs is under a statutory requirement to admit members of the public to all board or committee meetings. There is a statutory right for members of the public to attend meetings of the regional committees of the National Rivers Authority that discuss flood defence, fisheries and rivers issues except where business is of a confidential nature.

All six housing action trusts voluntarily hold board meetings which are open to the public except when confidential issues are discussed. The following urban development corporations voluntarily hold open meetings when considering planning applications: Birmingham heartlands, black country, Bristol, London docklands, Merseyside, Plymouth, Sheffield and Trafford park.