§ Mr. Liddell-GraingerTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister who is responsible for the selection of Audit Commission representatives. [78748]
§ Mr. RaynsfordSection 1 of the Audit Commission Act 1998 determines that the Audit Commission shall consist of between 15 and 20 members appointed by the Secretary of State. Appointments are made jointly by my right hon. Friends the Deputy Prime Minister and Secretaries of State for Health and Wales, having regard to the Commissioner for Public Appointments' Code of Practice.
§ Mr. DrewTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister when he will announce the name of the new Chair of the Audit Commission. [79872]
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§ Mr. RaynsfordMy right hon. Friends the Deputy Prime Minister and the Secretaries of State for Health and Wales have today appointed for a three year term James Strachan as the new Chair of the Audit Commission.
I have great confidence in his ability to lead the Audit Commission, to which he will bring substantial and diverse experience.
We are driving forward our agenda to reform public services. This appointment comes at a challenging time for the commission, especially with the implementation of the Comprehensive Performance Assessment of local authorities, its new housing inspection duties and the development of a proportionate and co-ordinated audit and inspection regime.
More than 40 applicants were considered for the post and James Strachan was shortlisted by a panel comprising an independent assessor and senior officials from this Office and the Department of Health.