HC Deb 21 March 1997 vol 292 cc1022-4W
Dr. Wright

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security which of the advisory non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department(a) hold public meetings, (b) conduct public consultation exercises, (c) conduct consultation exercises with outside commercial interests, (d) publish a register of members' interests, (e) publish agendas for meetings and (f) publish the minutes of meetings; and whether in each case this is under a statutory requirement. [21699]

Mr. Burt

The information is as follows:

  1. (a) None.
  2. (b) Under a Statutory Requirement;
  • The National Disability Council has a statutory duty to publish its proposals for a Code of Practice which may include consultation with the public.
  • Voluntarily;
  • The Social Security Advisory Committee.
  • The Industrial Injuries Advisory Council.
  • The Disability Living Allowance Advisory Board frequently consults with medical experts and outside organisations representing disabled people.
  1. (c) Under a Statutory Requirement;
  • The National Disability Council has a statutory duty to publish its proposals for a Code of Practice which may include consultation with outside commercial interests.
  • Voluntarily;
  • The Social Security Advisory Committee.
  1. (d) None.
  2. (e) None.
  3. (f) None.

Dr. Wright

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security which of the advisory non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department(a) have a statutory base, (b) publish their advice to Government, (c) publish an annual report and (d) lay an annual report before Parliament; and if he will indicate in each instance whether this is under a statutory requirement. [21724]

Mr. Burt

The information is as follows:

  1. (a) The advisory non-departmental bodies sponsored by this Department are listed in "Public Bodies 1996" and all have a statutory basis.
  2. (b) Under a Statutory Requirement;
  • None.
  • Voluntarily;
  • The advice given to the Secretary of State by the Disability Living Allowance Advisory Board is published in its annual report.
  • The National Disability Council.
  1. (c) Under a Statutory Requirement
  • The National Disability Council.
  • Voluntarily
  • The Disability Living Allowance Advisory Board.
  1. (d) Under a Statutory Requirement
    • The National Disability Council.
    • Voluntarily
    • None.

Dr. Wright

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list those of his Department's advisory non-departmental public bodies which the Government are required to(a) consult prior to legislative proposals and (b) publish their response to advice from. [21753]

Mr. Burt

Except in circumstances prescribed in section 173 of, and schedule 7 to, the Social Security Administration Act 1992, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is required to refer draft regulations to either the Social Security Advisory Committee or the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council for consideration and advice. If the committee reports on proposed regulations he is required to lay before Parliament its report with his responses to any recommendations when he lays the relevant statutory instrument.

Dr. Wright

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security which of the executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department have a statutory base; if he will list those bodies which(a) admit members of the public to all board and committee meetings and (b) hold open meetings for the public; and if in each case this is under a statutory requirement. [21441]

Mr. Burt

All the Department's non-departmental public bodies have a statutory base. They are the Occupational Pensions Board, which will cease to exist from 6 April 1997; the Pensions Compensation Board, which was established in August 1996 and commences full operation on 6 April 1997; and the Occupational Pensions Regulatory Authority, which was established in April 1996 and commences full operation on 6 April 1997.

None admit members of the public to all board and committee meetings, nor do they hold open meetings for the public—although they can do either if they wish.