§ Bob SpinkTo ask the Secretary of State for Health whether reference is made to political affiliation in making appointments to(a) health authorities and (b) primary care trusts.[189551]
§ Ms Rosie WintertonMinisters have delegated responsibility for the appointment of chairs and non-executive members for health authorities and primary1986W care trusts to the National Health Service Appointments Commission. The Commission is required by the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments' code of practice to collect information from all candidates for these appointments. This includes information on political affiliations. This information however is for monitoring purposes only, and is removed from application forms before the selection process begins. It does not form part of the information considered by the Appointments Commission when making their appointment decisions.