To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress has been made in the procedure of appointments to sponsored bodies since recommendations were put to the Directors Forum on Sponsored Bodies in September last year. [40651]

Revised procedures have been introduced in the Department of the Environment which fulfil the relevant recommendations of the first report of the Committee on Standards in Public Life and comply with the code of practice and guidance issued by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. It will now be the normal practice to advertise vacancies on the boards of executive non-departmental public bodies, to interview candidates before appointment and to involve an independent person in the selection process.