HC Deb 30 June 1999 vol 334 cc207-8W
Mr. Rowlands

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales for how many appointments to non-departmental public bodies he was responsible prior to the passing of the Government of Wales Act 1998; and for how many he is currently responsible. [88587]

Mr. Michael

I currently have sole responsibility for making 404 appointments to Executive, Advisory and Health Non-departmental Public Bodies in Wales. Responsibility for all these appointments will transfer to the National Assembly for Wales on 1 July.

As Secretary of State, I will retain responsibility for a small number of appointments to bodies which do not have NDPB status, such as the Parliamentary Boundary Commission for Wales and the Courts and Councils of the Universities.

There are also several UK bodies to which I make appointments, or where I have joint responsibility for making appointments, or am consulted on appointments. These responsibilities will also transfer to the Assembly by means of an Order in Council under Section 30 of the Government of Wales Act 1998.

Detailed information about public appointments for which I have had responsibility as Secretary of State for Wales is published quarterly in "Appointments made by the Secretary of State for Wales". The latest edition is dated March 1999 and is available in the House of Commons Library.

Mr. Rowlands

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many non-departmental public bodies there were in Wales prior to the Government of Wales Act 1998; and how many there are currently. [88586]

Mr. Michael

There were 42 non-departmental public bodies sponsored by my Department immediately prior to the Government of Wales Act 1998; there are now 37. The five bodies that have been abolished since 31 July 1998 are the Development Board for Rural Wales; the Land Authority for Wales; the Residuary Body for Wales; Tai Cymru; and the Welsh Advisory Committee on Drug and Alcohol Misuse.

Mr. Rowlands

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list(a) the non-departmental public bodies which have been abolished and (b) established since May 1997. [88642]

Mr. Michael

Since 1 May 1997, the following non-departmental public bodies have been abolished: the Agricultural Advisory Panel for Wales; the Development Board for Rural Wales; the Land Authority for Wales; the Residuary Body for Wales; the Staff Commission for Wales; Tai Cymru; the Welsh Advisory Committee on Drug and Alcohol Misuse; and the Welsh Council for Post-Graduate Medical and Dental Education. In addition, the Cardiff Bay Development Corporation has been identified for abolition. No new non-departmental public bodies have been established by the Secretary of State since 1 May 1997.