§ Mr. BurgonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the forthcoming financial management and policy review of the Darwin Advisory Committee. [67552]
§ Mr. MeacherAs part of the Government's programme of regular five-yearly financial, management and policy reviews of non-departmental public bodies my Department will conduct a thorough review of the Darwin Advisory Committee. The first stage of the review will take the form of a "prior options" study. This will assess the extent to which the Darwin Advisory Committee functions are necessary for the achievement of the Government's policies, and whether there is scope for contracting out or transferring all or part of its functions to another body.
The progress made by the Darwin Advisory Committee since it was set up will be examined and the results of that examination and of the prior options study will inform a detailed review of the Darwin Advisory Committee's policy and financial management systems.
I expect the reviews to last about 6–8 weeks. In carrying out the study my Department will consult widely with those who have an interest in the Committee's work.