To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what expert groups her Department set up in each year since 1999. (213199)

Details of formal, standing bodies set up by Government to provide independent, expert advice to Departments and Ministers are published annually by the Cabinet Office. These bodies, known as advisory non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs), are listed in the annual “Public Bodies” publication. “Public Bodies” also contains some details on short-term advisory groups and task forces. Copies of “Public Bodies” dating back to 1999 can be viewed and downloaded from:

http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/about/public/bodies.asp.

Copies are also available in the Library for the reference of Members.

The Home Office published Public Bodies 2007 to supplement the central publication produced by Cabinet Office and will continue to do this on an annual basis. The document can be downloaded from:

http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/documents/public-bodies-2007?view=Binary.