HC Deb 04 May 1999 vol 330 cc339-40W
Mr. Rowlands

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many times the Welsh Management Council has met; and what are the Council's current membership and terms of reference. [82933]

Mr. Hain

The Wales Management Council was relaunched on 30 November 1998, since when it has met in plenary session only once more. In the meantime, however, a sub-group of members has also met four times to oversee a research project commissioned to inform the preparation of a draft 5-year Business Plan.

The Council currently comprises eighteen members— 8 employers and 10 representing a variety of constituencies, ranging from education to government. However, the Council is also considering recruiting additional members in order to bring industry/employer representation into the majority.

The Council's Mission is "To shape and promote the development of managers and management in Wales for the benefit of organisations, individuals, and the wider community; in particular, to expand the pool of well qualified managers able to provide effective leadership."

Following the transfer of functions, this issue will be a matter for the National Assembly.