§ Mr. Charles ClarkeTo ask the President of the Council what assessment Her Majesty's Government have made of the advantages of establishing a procedure for ratification by Select Committee of some senior public appointments; and when she expects to bring recommendations to the House. [15301]
§ Mrs. Ann Taylor[holding answer 10 November 1997]The Government have accepted the recommendations of the Committee on Standards in Public Life on appointments to executive non-departmental public bodies and NHS trusts. The consultation paper "Opening up quangos", published by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on 11 November, sets out proposals to extend these recommendations to other public bodies. The Government will review the possibility of ratification of certain appointments by Select Committees but has no immediate plans to recommend this.