§ Mr. DoddsTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many non-departmental public bodies there were in Northern Ireland in April 1998; and how many there are now. [113872]
§ Mr. Paul MurphyThe information sought in the question is available in the "Public Bodies" publication produced annually by the Cabinet Office and made available through the Stationery Office and on the Cabinet Office website at http: //www. cabinet-office. gov.uk/ agencies-publicbodies/. This publication provides information on the size, spend and membership of public bodies in the UK and includes non-departmental public bodies attached to the Northern Ireland Office and Northern Ireland Departments. The current edition of the publication, "Public Bodies 2002" is available in the House of Commons Library. An updated version for 2003 is currently being prepared and should be published by the Cabinet Office before the end of the year.