§ Mr. LivseyTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many quango posts in Wales have become vacant since May 1997; in which newspapers advertisements for these posts have been published; and which of these posts were filled without having been publicly advertised. [67272]
§ Mr. MichaelSeventy one Public Appointment vacancies in NDPBs in Wales have arisen. Of these;
Sixty vacancies have been advertised in local and national press.Three vacancies were not filled due to merger or abolition of the body or transfer of powers, these being one member position on the Welsh Health Common Services Agency, one member position on the Health Promotion Authority for Wales and one member position on the Development Board for Rural Wales.One member vacancy on the Ancient Monuments Board was not advertised as the appointment is made from a nominated source as laid down in statute.Two member vacancies on the Tai Cymru Board falling in May 1997 were not advertised because the appointments process began under the previous administration. The board has now ceased to exist.The appointments process has yet to begin for the five remaining vacancies. These are one member position on the Court and Council of the Museum and Galleries of Wales, one member position on the Arts Council for Wales, one member position on the Sports Council for Wales, one member position on the Gwent Agriculture Wages Committee and one member position on the Gwynedd Agriculture Wages Committee.The local and national press used to advertise these vacancies in varying combinations were: the Western Mail, the Liverpool Daily Post, The Guardian, The Times, The Times Educational Supplement, The Times Higher Education Supplement, The Sunday Times, "Golwg", "Y Cymro", Water Bulletin and the Library Association Record.
In future this will become the responsibility of the National Assembly.