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Home Office

Answer

Dr. Tony Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which of the executive non- departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department (a) admit members of the public to all board or committee meetings, (b) hold public meetings, (c) have lay or consumer representatives on their boards and (d) operate some form of appeal or complaints procedure; and if in each case this is under a statutory requirement. [69976] Mr. Straw: The Commission for Racial Equality and the Community Development Foundation admit members of the public to their meetings except, in the case of the former, where individual cases are being discussed. They also hold public meetings and conferences. The annual general meeting of the Police Information Technology Organisation is open to the public. There are no "consumers" of the services provided by the bodies on their boards, but where necessary appointments are made to reflect a broad spread of interest and expertise and to introduce an element of independence. The following executive Non Departmental Public Bodies operate some form of appeal complaints procedure: Commission for Racial Equality Criminal Cases Review Commission Gaming Board for Great Britain Horserace Totaliser Board Data Protection Registrar Parole Board Police Information Technology Organisation. There are also the Horserace Betting Levy Appeals Tribunal, the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board/ Appeal Panel and the Data Protection Tribunal which deal with appeals in their respective areas. None of the bodies are statutorily required to admit members of the public to their meetings, hold public meetings, have lay or consumer representatives on their boards or operate some form of appeal/complaints procedure.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

325 c323W; 69976

Session

1998-99

Subjects

Complaints Disclosure of information Freedom of information Government departments Home Office Public meetings Non-departmental public bodies