HC Deb 26 February 1996 vol 272 cc395-6W
Dr. Wright

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 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. [16012]

Mr. Howard

The answer is:

(a) investigation by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration:

  • Commission for Racial Equality
  • Data Protection Registrar
  • Horserace Betting Levy Board

(b) scrutiny by the Audit Commission: none; the Audit Commission has responsibility only for local government;

(c) scrutiny by the National Audit Office:

  • Community Development Foundation
  • Commission for Racial Equality
  • Data Protection Registrar
  • Gaming Board for Great Britain
  • National Lottery Charities Board
  • Police Complaints Authority

(d) statutory provisions for open government: the following executive non-departmental public bodies are required by statute to publish annual reports:

  • Alcohol Education and Research Council
  • Commission for Racial Equality
  • Gaming Board for Great Britain
  • Horserace Betting Levy Board
  • Horserace Totalisator Board
  • National Lottery Charities Board
  • Data Protection Registrar
  • Police Complaints Authority

Those NDPBs that are subject to scrutiny by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration are also subject to the code of practice on open government, and other NDPBs are being asked to develop codes of practice on similar lines.

(e) performance indicators: NDPBs are encouraged, wherever appropriate, to develop performance indicators and associated targets and to publish these.

(f) provisions under the citizen's charter: those executive NDPBs which offer a service to the public are encouraged to adopt the principles set out in the citizens charter and to publicise how these are being reflected in their working arrangements—for instance, the Commission for Racial Equality has published a statement and the Gaming Board has published customer service targets in its annual report.