§ Albert OwenTo ask the Prime Minister if he has received the Fifth report of the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments; who the members of the Committee are; and if he will make a statement. [72102]
§ The Prime MinisterThe Advisory Committee on Business Appointments has submitted its fifth report to me and I have today placed copies in the Libraries of both Houses. The report gives an account of its work from 1 April 2001 to 31 March 2002.
The Committee is an independent body which advises me on business appointment applications from the most senior civil servants and members of the Armed Forces. Where the applicant is a senior diplomat, it advises the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs under the similar rules which apply in the Diplomatic Service. The Committee also gives advice, under published guidelines, to former Ministers about any outside appointments they wish to take up after leaving office. It includes members with extensive experience of public life in England, Scotland and Wales, and, in this respect, it acts as a joint body although it provides its advice directly to those who seek it in accordance with the provisions of their Ministerial Code.
The current members of the Committee are:
- The Right Hon. Lord Mayhew of Twysden QC DL (Chairman)
- Sir John Blelloch KCB (Vice-chairman)
- The Right Hon. Lord Morris of Aberavon QC
- The Right Hon. Lord Maclennan of Rogart
- The Lord Wilson of Tillyorn KT GCMG
- Admiral Sir Kenneth Eaton GBE KCB FEng FIEE
- Sir Bryan Nicholson
The Committee has an important role, and I am very grateful to all the members for giving their time so freely to it.