Written question asked by David Drew (Labour) on Tuesday, 24 January 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 26 January 2006. It was answered by Jim Murphy (Labour) on Tuesday, 7 February 2006 on behalf of the Cabinet Office.

Public Appointments (Vetting)

Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what steps he has taken to ensure that those appointed to public bodies have received (a) a Criminal Records Bureau check and (b) a higher level clearance where appropriate; and if he will ensure those who have not been positively vetted are not appointed.

Answer: It is for individual departments to consider whether national security vetting, or other checks, should be applied to those who are appointed to the boards of their public bodies. The Cabinet Office issues guidance on public appointments to departments in its publication ‘Making and Managing Public Appointments', available on the Public Appointment Unit's website www.publicappointments.gov.uk/publications. This advises departments to consider during their recruitment of appointees to public bodies whether they need to obtain a Disclosure from the Criminal Records Bureau because of the nature of the appointment. This will be particularly relevant to appointments to public bodies which work closely with children and vulnerable adults.Security vetting is carried out in accordance with HM Government policy, as set out in the (then) Prime Minister's statement to the House on 15 December 1994, Official Report, columns 764–66W. It is a fundamental principle that security vetting is applied proportionately according to the requirement for an individual to have access to sensitive Government information, or sites assessed to be at risk of terrorist attack.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 46141; 442 c1088W;442 c1088W
Session: 2005-06
Related items: Prime Minister
Thursday, 15 December 1994
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects: Criminal records Public appointments Public bodies Vetting
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk