The work of the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments has already been the subject of a review by the Public Administration Select Committee. Its report, “The Business Appointment Rules”, published in June 2007, included consideration of an independent review carried out by Sir Patrick Brown. They concluded that
“The Advisory Committee on Business Appointments has operated effectively, and we see little benefit in changing its composition, or its way of working”.
Copies of the reports and the Government’s response are in the Libraries of the House. The Public Administration Select Committee is also considering further the work of the advisory committee in relation to its current inquiry on lobbying.
The House will also wish to be aware that the chairman of the advisory committee, Lord Mayhew, has informed me that he wishes to step down from the chairmanship of the committee for reasons of ill health. I would like to place on record my thanks to him for the nine years of outstanding service and commitment he has given the committee and public life more generally. Sir John Blelloch, the vice chairman, will manage the committee’s day-to-day business until a successor to Lord Mayhew is appointed.