Annex A: Correspondence between the Chairman
and the Minister for the Cabinet Office
Letter from the Minister for the Cabinet Office
to the Chairman
The Governance of Britain Green Paper sets
out the Government's programme of constitutional renewal. This
includes a specific proposal to increase Parliamentary scrutiny
of appointments to certain posts by way of pre-appointment hearings
with the relevant select committee. In keeping with our commitment
in the Green Paper, I am writing to update you on progress and
to share with the Committee the list of appointments that we are
proposing should be subject to pre-appointment scrutiny.
The format of pre-appointment hearings will broadly
follow the process set out in the Green Paper. This will involve
the Government's nominee for selected posts giving evidence before
the relevant Parliamentary select committee. We expect committee
hearings to focus on issues of professional competence. Hearings
will be non-binding but Ministers will consider committees' views
carefully before deciding whether to proceed with the appointment.
Since publication of the Green Paper, we have consulted
widely across Government to identify posts that would be suitable
for pre-appointment hearings. In keeping with the principles in
the Green Paper, we have focussed on posts which exercise statutory
or other powers in relation to protecting the public's rights
and interests. We have also considered posts that play a key role
in the regulation and administration of the appointments process
itself. As a result, the final list comprises senior ombudsmen,
HM Chief Inspectors and key regulators. This is also in keeping
with a recommendation from the Public Administration Select Committee
that pre-appointment scrutiny should focus on "major auditors,
ombudsmen and other complaint investigators, regulators and inspectors,
and to those responsible for the appointments process itself".
A full list of proposed appointments is attached.
As we have developed our proposals, we have listened
carefully to the views of key stakeholders, in particular the
Commissioner for Public Appointments and the Committee on Standards
in Public Life. We are also giving careful consideration to recent
reports published by the Treasury Select Committee and the Public
Administration Select Committee. As a result, the Government plans
to proceed with pre-appointment hearings on a pilot basis. This
will involve Departments monitoring closely pre-appointment hearings
and seeking feedback from those involved, including from select
committees. As we embark on this process, it is essential that
it is conducted in such a way that we both enhance the role of
Parliament in scrutinising public appointments and maintain an
appointments process which is proportionate and continues to attract
high quality candidates.
Strengthening the role of Parliament is a key aim
of The Governance of Britain Green Paper. I believe the
approach I have outlined in this letter will contribute to this
by delivering a process which enhances Parliamentary and democratic
scrutiny of key public appointments whilst continuing to attract
high calibre individuals into public life. I very much welcome
the Committee's views on the proposed list.
LIST OF APPOINTMENTS FOR PRE-APPOINTMENT SCRUTINY
Chair of the Gas and Electricity Markets Authority
(GEMA)
Chair of OFCOM
Chair of the Appointments Commission
Chair of the Care Quality Commission
Chair of the Charity Commission
Chair of the Committee on Standards in Public Life
Chair of the Food Standards Agency
Chair of the Judicial Appointments Commission
Chair of the Office for Legal Complaints
Chair of the Office of Rail Regulation
Chair of the Postal Services Commission
Chair of the Statistics Board
Chair of the Water Service Regulatory Authority (OFWAT)
Chief Fire and Rescue Adviser
Commissioner for Public Appointments
Comptroller and Auditor General
First Civil Service Commissioner
Health Service Commissioner for England (Health Ombudsman)
HM Chief Inspector of Constabulary
HM Chief Inspector of Education, Children's Services
and Skills
HM Chief Inspector of Prisons
HM Chief Inspector of Probation
HM Chief Inspector of the CPS
Information Commissioner
Local Commissioners for Administration for England
(Local Government Ombudsmen)
Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration (Parliamentary
Ombudsman)
Pensions Ombudsman
Pensions Protection Fund Ombudsman
Prison and Probation Ombudsman
Rt Hon Ed Miliband MP
23 January 2008
Letter from the Chairman to the Minister for the
Cabinet Office
Thank you for your letter of 23 January which I discussed
with colleagues on the Liaison Committee at our meeting on 31
January. We have also reported it to the House and placed it on
our website.
Chairmen valued the Government's initiative, but
wished to consult their Committees on the detail. At the initial
discussion, there were suggestions that further posts should be
added to your list. We have agreed to consider the issue more
fully at our next meeting on 28 February, after which I shall
write again with our fuller reaction to your proposals.
Rt Hon Alan Williams MP
5 February 2008
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