HC Deb 26 February 1996 vol 272 cc315-6W
Dr. Wright

To ask the President of the Board of Trade 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. [16023]

Mr. John M. Taylor

The information is as follows:

Those non-departmental public bodies that are:

  • (a) Subject to investigation by the Parliamentary Commissioner:
  • Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service Coal Authority
  • Commissioner for Protection Against Unlawful Industrial Action
  • Commissioner for the Rights of Trade Union Members and the DTI's seven Research Councils
  • (b) Subject to scrutiny by the Audit Commission:
  • None.
  • (c) Subject to scrutiny by the National Audit Office
  • The NAO's access to DTI's NDPBs is detailed in "Public Bodies 1995" which is available in the Library of the House
  • (d) Subject to statutory provisions for open government:
  • NDPBs subject to the jurisdiction of the Parliamentary Commission for Administration are covered by the code of practice on access to government information. Other NDPBs will be asked to draw up their own codes of openness.
  • (e) Subject to performance indicators:
  • Performance measures have been or are being introduced to all DTI's NDPBs when they are appropriate.
  • (f) Subject to provisions under the citizens charter:
  • All DTI's NDPBs are encouraged to follow citizens charter principles where they are appropriate.