§ 13. Mr. CanavanTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what recent representations he has received about employment in the public service of people from the Commonwealth and the Republic of Ireland; and if he will make a statement. [47931]
§ Mr. KilfoyleIn the past three months I have received five representations including one from the hon. Member for Portsmouth, South (Mr. Hancock) written with the support of 32 other hon. Members.
21. Dr. Tony WrightTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what plans he has to change the system for public appointments. [47939]
§ Mr. KilfoyleProposals for making the public appointments system more transparent and accessible were published on 29 June 1998 in a paper "Quangos: Opening the Doors". This paper, which takes account of the comments received during the Government's recent consultation exercise on quangos, makes further proposals on widening the field of candidates for appointment. A second paper "Quangos: Opening up Public Appointments" was published on the same day. This provides details of the Government's plans to make public appointments more representative of society as a whole.
Copies of both papers have been sent to all hon. and right hon. Members as well as being placed in the Library.