§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (Phil Hope)In July 2003, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister consulted a number of professional organisations on a draft Statutory Instrument providing for the enlargement of the membership of the above Committee and amending the rules concerning its quorum. The responses to that consultation have now been analysed, and an amended Statutory Instrument was laid before Parliament yesterday.
The amendments to the draft Statutory Instrument are only minor and the effect remains that the pool of PCC members will be enlarged by seven additional persons. The Statutory Instrument will come into effect on 1 April 2004.
A number of consultees made other points concerning the Board, and one organisation requested a setting up of a Parliamentary Committee to investigate certain matters about the Board and its work. I have considered all of the representations received and have met the Chairman and other members of the Board to discuss. I have full confidence in the Board and the way it operates under the powers given in the Architects Act 1997 and have concluded that there is no need to set up such an inquiry.