Dear Mr Carruthers

Thank you for your e-mail of 1^st September 2009, requesting copies of all documentation identifying the Commission for Local Administration in England (CLAE) omission from the Departmental Public Bodies 2008. You also request all documentation identifying the Chair and Deputy Chair as subject to pre-appointment hearings. I apologise for the delay in replying.

Your request has been considered under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. The information you requested, as far as we are able to provide it within the framework of legislation, is listed below.

On the first part of your request, the CLAE are not included in the Departmental Public Bodies 2008 report because they are not considered an Non-Departmental Public Body. The CLA is listed on the Communities and Local Government website as an Other Body in the Departmental Annual Report, which I attach a link to below.

http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/corporate/annualreport09

The CLAE as a body occupies a special status. It is independent of both central and local Government, although it is sponsored by the Department for Communities and Local Government.

On the second part of your request, I attach a link to Cabinet Office guidance, which includes appointments falling to pre-appointment hearings. The list of appointments was put together by Cabinet Office officials and at the time did not include the Chair or Deputy Chair. This is a pilot and is under going evaluation at present. Depending on the outcome, further appointments may be added to the list.

http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/media/119317/preappointment_hearings.pdf

Communities and Local Government as an organisation aims to be as helpful as possible in the way it deals with requests for information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and the Environmental Information Regulations 2004. If, however, you are not satisfied with the way in which your request has been handled or the outcome, you may request an internal review within two calendar months of the date of this letter. Information about the Department's review procedures and how to apply for an internal review of your case is contained in the attached leaflet. This also explains your right to apply directly to the Information Commissioner for a decision in the event that you remain dissatisfied following the authority's review.

If you have any queries about this letter, please contact me.

Yours sincerely

Vanita Patel