HC Deb 04 March 1998 vol 307 c692W
26. Mr. Pickthall

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on his plans to reduce the number of non-departmental public bodies. [30891]

Dr. David Clark

The Government remain committed to keeping the number of NDPBs to a minimum. Already a number of NDPBs have been abolished and several more have been targeted for abolition or merger. The Comprehensive Spending Review, which involves a zero-based analysis of the functions of NDPBs, may reduce the overall number of NDPBs further. Ministers will continue to examine the NDPBs they sponsor with a view to identifying additional candidates for abolition.