§ Mr. GodmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans she has to modify public appointment procedures; and if she will make a statement. [4420]
§ Mr. Paul Murphy[holding answer 24 June 1997]: Ministerial appointments to executive non-departmental public bodies in Northern Ireland have been subject since 1 July 1996 to the Code of Practice and Guidance of the Northern Ireland Commissioner for Public Appointments, whose Office was created on the recommendation of the Nolan Committee on Standards in Public Life. The Government will be seeking opportunities to ensure that the appointments process is as open and inclusive as possible, and will be considering with the Commissioner whether his remit should he extended to other public bodies.