HC Deb 30 July 1998 vol 317 cc503-4W
Mr. Burstow

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list the non-departmental public bodies in existence on 1 May 1997 that(a) have been disbanded, (b) will be disbanded in the next 12 months, (c) have had their functions transferred to (i) another non-departmental public body and (ii) a democratically elected body, (d) have been renamed but continue to perform a similar role and (e) have been unchanged; if he will indicate in (c) (ii) the relevant successor body; what new non-departmental public bodies have been established since 1 May 1997; and how many non-departmental public bodies his Department currently is responsible for. [53862]

Dr. John Cunningham

The Non-departmental Public Bodies (NDPBs) for both the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and the Prime Minister are listed under my Department in the booklet "Public Bodies" published by the Stationery Office. For the purposes of this question I am answering on behalf of my Department and the Prime Minister.

  1. (a) Since 1 May 1997 we have abolished two NDPBs: The Citizen's Charter Panel of Advisers; and the De-regulation Task Force.
  2. (b) There are no proposals to disband any bodies within the next 12 months.
  3. (c) No bodies have had their function transferred to another NDPB or a democratically elected body.
  4. (d) No bodies have been removed.
  5. (e) Details of all other NDPBs in existence on 1 May 1997 sponsored by this department are listed in "Public Bodies".

We have established two NDPBs: The Better Regulation Task Force and, on behalf of the Prime Minister, the Security Vetting Appeals Panel. My Department is currently responsible for ten NDPBs.

The Government are committed to keeping the number of NDPBs to a minimum and to ensuring that those which remain are open, accountable and effective. Many of the new NDPBs established since 1 May will be essential in helping the Government deliver their Manifesto commitments.