HC Deb 04 March 1999 vol 326 cc906-8W
Dr. Tony Wright

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food which of the executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department have a statutory base; and which are subject to investigation by the Parliamentary Commissioner. [69889]

Mr. Morley

The following executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by my Department have a statutory basis:

  • Agricultural Wages Board for England and Wales
  • Agricultural Wages Committees
  • Apple and Pear Research Council
  • British Potato Council
  • Food from Britain Council
  • Home Grown Cereals Authority
  • Horticultural Development Council
  • Meat and Livestock Commission
  • Milk Development Council
  • Regional Flood Defence Committees
  • Royal Botanic Gardens Kew
  • Sea Fish Industry Authority.

Agricultural Wages Committees already come within the jurisdiction of the Parliamentary Commissioner. The following are due to be covered shortly by means of an Order in Council:

  • Apple and Pear Research Council
  • British Potato Council
  • Food from Britain Council
  • Home Grown Cereals Authority
  • Horticultural Development Council
  • Meat and Livestock Commission
  • Milk Development Council
  • Royal Botanic Gardens Kew
  • Sea Fish Industry Authority
  • United Kingdom Register of Organic Food Standards
  • Wine Standards Board of the Vintners' Company.

Regional Flood Defence Committees come within the jurisdiction of the Local Government Ombudsman.

Dr. Tony Wright

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food which of the executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department publish(a) the minutes of meetings, (b) the agendas of meetings and documents for those meetings and (c) a register of members' interests; and if in each case this is under a statutory requirement. [69953]

Mr. Morley

In answer to(a) and (b) there is no statutory requirement for any of my Department's Executive non-departmental public bodies to publish minutes, agendas or documents of their meetings. The following make minutes of meetings available on request: Agricultural Wages Board Agricultural Wages Committees (if no specific case is mentioned) Food from Britain United Kingdom Register of Organic Food Standards.

The British Potato Council circulates the minutes of its meetings to interested organisations.

(c) In line with the commitment given in "Quangos: Opening the Doors", all of my Department's executive non-departmental bodies either have, or shortly will have, a register of interest in place.

Dr. Tony Wright

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food which of the executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department(a) admit members of the public to all board or committee meetings, (b) hold public meetings, (c) have lay or consumer representatives on their boards and (d) operate some form of appeal or complaints procedure; and if in each case this is under a statutory requirement. [69981]

Mr. Morley

There is no statutory requirement for any of the executive non-departmental public bodies to(a) admit members of the public to all board and committee meetings (b) hold public meetings or (d) operate a form of complaints procedure.

  • (a) The British Potato Council invites the NFU and other bodies to committee meetings.
  • Some meetings of Regional Flood Defence Committees are open to the public.
  • The Horticultural Development Council admits the public to its AGM.
  • (b) The following hold public meetings: British Potato Council
  • Horticultural Development Council
  • Meat and Livestock Commission
  • Milk Development Council
  • Sea Fish Industry Authority
  • Regional Flood Defence Committees
  • Horticulture Research International holds numerous open days and offer numerous events and activities.
  • (c) There is a statutory requirement to have lay or consumer representation on:
  • Apple and Pear Research Council
  • British Potato Council
  • Horticultural Development Council
  • Meat and Livestock Commission
  • Milk Development Council
  • Sea Fish Industry Authority
  • (d) The following operate a complaints procedure:
  • Apple and Pear Research Council
  • Food from Britain Council
  • Home Grown Cereals Authority
  • Horticultural Development Council
  • Meat and Livestock Commission
  • Milk Development Council
  • Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
  • Sea Fish Industry Authority.
Dr. Tony Wright

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food which of the advisory non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department publish(a) the minutes of meetings, (b) the agendas of meetings and documents for those meetings and (c) a register of members' interests; and whether in each case this is under a statutory requirement. [69840]

Mr. Morley

In answer to(a) and (b) there is no statutory requirement for any of my Department's Advisory non-departmental public bodies to publish minutes, agendas or documents of their meetings. The following make minutes of meetings available on request:

  • Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes
  • Farm Animal Welfare Council
  • Food Advisory Committee
  • Consumer Panel
  • Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee;
  • publish summaries of their discussions and hold press briefings after committee meetings;
  • Veterinary Products Committee;
  • issues a summary of discussions as a press release.

(c)In line with the commitment given in "Quangos: Opening the Doors", all of my Department's advisory non-departmental bodies either have, or shortly will have, a register of interests in place.

Dr. Tony Wright

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food which of the advisory non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department(a) admit members of the public to all board or committee meetings, (b) hold public meetings and (c) have lay or consumer representatives on their boards; and if in each case this is under a statutory requirement. [69964]

Mr. Morley

There is no statutory requirement for any of my Department's advisory non-departmental public bodies to admit members of the public to all board or committee meetings or to hold public meetings. The Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes and the Food Advisory Committee have done both on occasions. The Veterinary Products Committee has held one public meeting. The Consumer Panel and the Farm Animal Welfare Council will both be holding an open meeting in 1999.

The following advisory non-departmental public bodies have lay or consumer representatives on their boards:

  • Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes
  • Advisory Committee on Pesticides
  • Consumer Panel
  • Consumers Committee for Great Britain
  • Food Advisory Committee
  • Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee
  • Veterinary Products Committee.

This is not a statutory requirement.