Arm’s-length Bodies
Debate between Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent and Baroness Deech
Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent (Lab)
The noble Lord makes a very important point about the independence of these bodies. The Infected Blood Compensation Authority, for example, has been established outside government to ensure that people accessing the compensation have trust and faith in the service that they may not have in the Government. Independence is key and is one of our core criteria. The ongoing scrutiny is part of your Lordships’ day-to-day work, but there is also a responsibility on the sponsoring department to make sure that work is done effectively and delivers the objectives. I look forward to discussing this in more detail with the noble Lord.
Baroness Deech (CB)
My Lords, will the Government tell the House whether there is a deliberate policy of pausing the process for filling public appointments without any particular reason? I have seen in my own experience, having worked hard on a panel and considered CVs, that the process is halted without any good reason, leaving vacancies on important committees.
Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent (Lab)
The noble Baroness raises an interesting point. It is not something that has been brought to my attention before, and I will speak to officials and come back to her. As far as I am aware, this Government want to make sure we have the right people in the right places to deliver what we need. If there has been a slight pause because of the change of Government, that may be one thing, but there is no official policy that I am aware of.
European Union: Court of Justice
Debate between Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent and Baroness Deech(2 months, 1 week ago)
Lords ChamberRead Full debate Read Hansard Text
Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent (Lab)
I thank the noble Lord for his question and obviously appreciate his expertise in this area. Let me be clear that we have left the European Union. We continue to engage with the European Union as our largest trade partner—it represents £823 billion-worth of trade across the piece—and we will continue to work in the best interests of our nation.
Baroness Deech (CB)
My Lords, does the Minister share my scepticism about the judges of the ECJ? One’s definition of independent judges is unsackability, expertise, fearlessness and long tenure. Many ECJ judges are not even lawyers: in their past careers they were administrators. Their salaries run to something like €300,000, with lots of allowances. They have tenure for only six years and it is then dependent on their Government to reappoint them. That does not shed good light on their independence, because they will be so dependent on the good will of their Government to continue claiming that huge salary.
Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent (Lab)
There are times when I get all the easy questions.
I thank the noble Baroness for her question, but I have to disagree. I would never criticise the independence of any judiciary.