HL Deb 11 January 1999 vol 596 cc14-5WA
The Earl of Clancarty

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many people will be on QUEST (Quality, Efficiency and Standards Team); how the team members will be recruited; and what will be their backgrounds, in particular what arts backgrounds members will possess; and [HL375]

When they will make detailed announcements of how QUEST (Quality, Efficiency and Standards Team) will operate; and how the public will receive information of its activities. [HL376]

Lord McIntosh of Haringey

The work of the Quality, Efficiency and Standards Team (QUEST) will cover all areas of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport's activities. It will seek out good practice in each area and look for ways in which it might be applied in other sectors. The core team posts will be advertised in the normal way; although a background in arts, sport, tourism, etc, may be useful, it will not be a prerequisite. One of the advantages of a small team will be that they can draw in individuals with more specialised knowledge and experience to assist on individual projects.

Further information on the operation and structure of QUEST will be made available to Parliament and more widely in due course.