HC Deb 24 February 1997 vol 291 cc124-5W
Dr. Marek

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what guidance he has issued to departments and non-departmental public bodies on the subject of corporate governance and the role of non-executive directors. [17079]

Mr. Freeman

Guidance on the role of non-executive directors entitled "A Guide to Non-Executive Directorships for Civil Servants" was issued by the then Office of Public Service and Science to Departments in January 1993.

General guidance on the corporate governance of non-departmental public bodies is contained in the Treasury and Office of Public Service publication "Non-Departmental Public Bodies: A Guide for Departments", substantially revised in 1996.

Revised "Guidance on Codes of Practice for Board Members of Public Bodies" was published earlier this month as an annex to the Government's White Paper "The Governance of Public Bodies: A Progress Report", Cm 3557. The guidance covers areas such as the corporate and individual responsibilities of board members, strategic planning and control, and handling conflicts of interest.

Copies of all these documents are available in the House Libraries.