Public Bodies Reform Debate

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Department: Cabinet Office

Public Bodies Reform

David Nuttall Excerpts
Thursday 14th October 2010

(13 years, 6 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Lord Maude of Horsham Portrait Mr Maude
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I am sure my right hon. Friend the Work and Pensions Secretary will have heard the hon. Gentleman’s last point and I know that he is addressing the matter with urgency. I welcome the hon. Gentleman into the big tent as far as the British Waterways Board is concerned. That is a good route to follow.

The hon. Gentleman also asked about the future of NESTA, which will become an independent endowment outside the Government. When the Bill that set it up went through the House, I was the Opposition spokesman, and I urged that it should be set up as a wholly independent endowment that is outside, and not in any way subject to the whim of, the Government.

David Nuttall Portrait Mr David Nuttall (Bury North) (Con)
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Although I welcome the proposal for a triennial review of the remaining quangos, can my right hon. Friend confirm that if it becomes clear that a quango no longer serves a useful purpose, it will be abolished immediately, without waiting for the completion of the three-year review?