HC Deb 21 July 1998 vol 316 cc444-6W
Mr. Chidgey

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list the taskforces and other groups composed of independent members which have been set up by the Government since 1 May 1997, with in each case(a) their remit, (b) their membership, (c) how many members are (i) scientists and (ii) engineers, (d) any remuneration members receive for their services and (e) their budgets. [49975]

3. Dr. David Clark

The information requested on the remit of individual task forces, and details of their membership and budgets is not held centrally. The details for the task forces and advisory groups supported by the Office of Public Services are set out below.

Better Regulation Task Force
  1. (a) 'To advise government on action which improves the effectiveness and quality of government regulation by ensuring that it is necessary fair, and affordable, and simple to understand and administer, taking account of the needs of small businesses and ordinary people'.
  2. (b) 16 independent members as follows:
    • Christopher Haskins (Chair): Chairman, Northern Foods plc.
    • Teresa Graham (Deputy): Partner, Baker Tilly
    • Stephen Alambritis: Federation of Small Businesses
    • Sarah Anderson: Director, Mayday Staff Services
    • Allan Charlesworth: Assistant Chief Constable, West Yorkshire Police
    • Hugh Field: BCB International; Chair, Local Business Partnership
    • Ram Gidoomal: Winning Communications
    • Sir Simon Gourlay: Farmer; President of National Farmers Union 1986–91
    • Pamela Meadows: Economist; formerly Director, Policy Studies Institute
    • Robert Purry: Head of tax, Grant Thornton
    • Chai Patel: Chai Patel Associates; Continuing Care Conference
    • Janet Russell: Environmental Services Manager, Kirklees Council
    • Peter Salsbury: Managing Director, Marks & Spencer
    • Helena Shovelton: Chair, National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux
    • Sue Slipman: Director, Gas Consumers Council
    • Ed Sweeney: General Secretary, Banking Insurance and Finance Union
  3. (c) This information was not requested on appointment.
  4. (d) Members are unpaid (reasonable expenses only are paid).
  5. (e) Costs are met from within existing divisional resources.
People's Panel Advisory Group
  1. (a) 'To advise the Service First Unit (Office of Public Service) on issues relating to the use and development of the People's Panel'.
  2. (b) Six members, with the following independent:
    • Professor Julia Brannen: Thomas Coram Research Institute, University of London
    • Professor Sara Arber: Department of Sociology, University of Surrey
    • Nicola Simpson: Director of Policy and Public Affairs, National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux
    • Michelle Heyworth: Market Research Manager, British Airways
    • Mike Bartram: Senior Policy Development Officer, National Consumer Council
  3. (c) There are no engineers or scientists in the Group.
  4. (d) Members are unpaid (travel expenses are reimbursed).
  5. (e) No specific budget for the Advisory Group.
Charter Mark Judging Panel
  1. (a) 'To provide an independent assessment of Charter Mark applications and, following advice from Charter Mark assessors and relevant inspectorates, regulatory bodies and government departments, decide on the award of Charter Marks'.
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  2. (b) 10 independent members as follows:
    • Baroness Perry (Chair): President, Lucy Cavendish College, Cambridge and a member of the National Advisory Council on Education
    • Rodney Bickerstaffe: General Secretary, UNISON
    • Anne Galbraith: former Chairman of the Royal Victoria Infirmary NHS Trust, Newcastle-upon-Tyne
    • Angela Heylin OBE: Chairman of Charles Barker plc.
    • Peter Housden: Chief Executive of Nottinghamshire County Council
    • Neil Johnson OBE FIMI DL: Chief Executive Officer and General Secretary of the Royal Automobile club
    • Stephen Locke: Director of Research and Knowledge Management at Andersen Consulting
    • James Palumbo: Chairman of the Ministry of Sound
    • Baroness Wilcox: former Chairman of the National Consumer Council
    • Pat Killen: former Chairman of the Northern Ireland Citizen's Charter and Advisory Panel.
  3. (c) This information was not requested on appointment.
  4. (d) Members are unpaid (travel and subsistence expenses are reimbursed).
  5. (e) No specific budget for the Panel.
4. Interchange Steering Council
  1. (a) "To provide strategic direction for the interchange initiative; to act as a champion for interchange wherever possible; to review progress both by departments and other sectors in taking forward the initiative, and provide relevant advice; to consider the best ways in which the initiative can be publicised; to communicate the views of the sectors represented by the membership; and to advise on the dissemination of information about Interchange;
  2. (b) 12 members, with the following independent:
    • Sir Colin Marshall: (Joint Chairman) President of the CBI
    • John Sacher CBE: Chairman of Trustees WIG and IPT Trustee
    • Sir Alan Langlands: Chief Executive, National Health Service Executive
    • Diana Warwick: Chief Executive, Committee of vice-Chancellors and Principals
    • Brian Briscoe: Chief Executive, Local Government Association
    • Chris Haskins: Chairman, Northern Foods plc
    • Stuart Etherington: Chief Executive, NCVO
    • Peter Sinclair: Chief Executive, Business Links Network Company
  3. (c) This information was not requested on appointment.
  4. (d) Members are unpaid.
  5. (e) Costs are met from within existing divisional resources.