HC Deb 19 March 1997 vol 292 cc596-8W
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. [20940]

Mr. Howard

The information requested is as follows:

  1. (a) Investigation by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration
    • Commission for Racial Equality
    • Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority
    • Data Protection Registrar
    • Horserace Betting Levy Board

In addition, consideration is being given to the possibility of including all executive non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) within the jurisdiction of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration.

  1. (b) Scrutiny by the Audit Commission

None (the Audit Commission has responsibility only for local government).

  1. (c) Scrutiny by the National Audit Office
    • Commission for Racial Equality
    • Criminal Cases Review Commission
    • Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority
    • Data Protection Registrar
    • Gaming Board for Great Britain
    • Parole Board
    • Police Complaints Authority
  2. (d) Statutory provisions for Open Government

The following executive NDPBs are required by statute to publish annual reports:

  • Alcohol Education and Research Council
  • Commission for Racial Equality
  • Criminal Cases Review Commission
  • Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority
  • Data Protection Registrar
  • Gaming Board for Great Britain
  • Horserace Betting Levy Board
  • Horserace Totalisator Board
  • Parole Board
  • Police Complaints Authority

Those NDPBs which 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.

  1. (e) Performance Indicators

Home Office NDPBs are encouraged by the relevant sponsoring unit to develop and publish performance indicators and associated targets wherever possible.

  1. (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 of charter standards and the Gaming Board has published customer service targets in its annual report.

Dr. Wright

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which of the executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department publish(a) annual reports, (b) annual accounts, (c) the minutes of meetings, (d) the agendas of meetings and (e) a register of members' interests; and if this is in each case (i) under a statutory requirement or (ii) voluntary. [20906]

Mr. Howard

The information requested is as follows:

  1. (a) Publication of annual reports
    • Alcohol Education and Research Council (statutory)
    • Commission for Racial Equality (statutory)
    • Criminal Cases Review Commission (statutory)
    • Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (statutory)
    • Data Protection Registrar (statutory)
    • Gaming Board for Great Britain (statutory)
    • Horserace Betting Levy Board (statutory)
    • Horserace Totalisator Board (statutory)
    • Parole Board (statutory)
    • Police Complaints Authority (statutory)
  2. (b) Publication of annual accounts
    • Alcohol Education and Research Council (statutory)
    • Commission for Racial Equality (statutory)
    • Criminal Cases Review Commission (statutory)
    • Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (statutory)
    • Data Protection Registrar (statutory)
    • Gaming Board for Great Britain (voluntary)
    • Horserace Betting Levy Board (statutory)
    • Horserace Totalisator Board (statutory)
    • Parole Board (statutory)
    • Police Complaints Authority (statutory)
  3. (c) Publication of the minutes of meetings

The Commission for Racial Equality keeps copies of the Commissioners' monthly meetings, which are available to the public. (voluntary arrangement)

  1. (d) Publication of the agendas of meetings

The Commission for Racial Equality keeps copies of the Commissioners' monthly meetings, which are available to the public. (voluntary arrangement)

  1. (e) Publication of registers of members' interests

The Police Complaints Authority and Horserace Betting Levy Board have registers of members' interests which are currently not published. The Commission for Racial Equality voluntarily publishes a register of its members' interests in its annual report.

In addition, the Gaming Board plans to set up a register and the Horserace Totalisator Board are considering this issue.

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