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Dept of Health

Answer

Dr. Tony Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 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. [69974] Ms Jowell: Of the Department's seven executive non-Departmental public bodies, the Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work (CCETSW) and the English National Board for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting (ENB) admit members of the public to all board or committee meetings. In neither case is this under a statutory requirement. CCETSW, ENB, and the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) hold public meetings. In none of these cases is this under a statutory requirement. CCETSW, ENB, HFEA and the Medical Practices Committee (MPC) have lay or consumer representatives on their boards. Only HFEA does so under a statutory requirement. We have included those bodies which have members with consumer expertise, even if there is not a dedicated consumer place. CCETSW, ENB, HFEA, MPC, the National Biological Standards Board, the National Radiological Protection Board and the Public Health Laboratory Service Board all operate some form of appeal or complaints procedure. In none of these cases is this a statutory requirement.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

69974; 325 c523-4W;325 c525-6W

Session

1998-99

Subjects

Complaints Disclosure of information Freedom of information Government departments Public meetings Non-departmental public bodies Department of Health