Select Committees and public appointments: the Government's response first report of session 2012-13 report, together with formal minutes, and an appendix

House of Commons papers 394 2012-13

Corporate Author:

Great Britain Parliament House of Commons Liaison Committee

Author:

Sir Alan Beith (chairman)

Publisher:

TSO (The Stationery Office)

Price: £8.50

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Select Committees have undertaken pre-appointment hearings since 2007. These have a fourfold purpose: Scrutiny of the quality of ministerial decision making; Providing public reassurance that those appointed to key public offices are selected on merit; Enhancing the appointee's legitimacy in undertaking their function; Providing public evidence of the candidate's independence of mind. A report by the Liaison Committee a year ago (HC 1230, session 2010-12, ISBN 9780215561244) reviewed the process and, drawing on research by the UCL Constitution Unit and the Institute for Government, made several recommendations to strengthen the accountability of ministerial appointments. The Government has rejected this proposed approach, stating only that it "has considered [it].. with interest." It also fails to take up the Committee's recommendation that political appointments such as the UK's EU Commissioner, or Ambassadors or High Commissioners appointed from outside the career diplomatic service should be subject to pre appointment scrutiny. The June 2012 Cabinet Office guidance has been issued without any further reference to the committee and its recommendations, and the Committee's own draft guidance is more or less ignored.

Extent	[3], 30p.	ISBN	9780215047724
Size	N/A	Price	£8.50
Format	Paperback	Published	06 Sep 2012
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