§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryTo ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what rules apply to the selection and conduct of appointees to Government Task Forces. [100893]
§ Mr. StringerTask Forces are set up to report on a specific issue within a specified timescale. There are no formal rules relating to the selection and conduct of appointees. Members are drawn from the public and private sectors, and are appointed for their particular knowledge, hands-on experience and/or expertise.
§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryTo ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what has been the cost of setting up and servicing the Task Forces established by the Government since 2 May 1997. [100895]
§ Mr. StringerThe information requested is not held centrally, and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Individual Ministers are responsible for decisions to establish Task Forces within their area of responsibility. In most cases, members of Task Forces are unpaid with Departments meeting out-of-pocket expenses only.
§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryTo ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office (1) how many Task Forces have been set up since 2 May 1997; [100896]
(2) if she will list by department the names of people appointed to sit on Task Forces established since 2 May 1997. [100894]
§ Mr. StringerDetails of Task Forces established since May 1997 have been deposited in the Library. Those Task Forces which are classified as Non-Departmental Public Bodies are excluded from the table as information on them is published in the annual "Public Bodies" publication. The table provides the name of the Chairman of individual Task Forces as well as a breakdown of membership between the private, public and voluntary sectors. More detailed information on the individuals appointed to each Task Force is not held centrally, and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.