Dear Sir or Madam,

I wish to make a Freedom of Information request about Nepotism in
the Public Sector including Quangos and what procedures are in
place to prevent it.

Which department should I direct this request to?

Yours faithfully,

Mr Watts

Dear Mr Watts,

Thank you for your two requests. These are not being dealt with as
Freedom of Information requests as there is no specific information
available. However, I should like to clarify the policy position
regarding public appointments relating to both of your queries.

1. "Nepotism in the Public Sector including Quangos"

Public appointments are made through an open and transparent process
which is based on the overriding principle of appointment by merit. In
addition, there is an independent Commissioner for Public Appointments
who regulates the appointment process for ministerial appointments to
the boards of public bodies and ensures that processes are fair and open
and that appointments are made on merit. The Commissioner also acts as
the ombudsman for any complaints about the selection process for
appointments within her remit. Full details of how to complain are
available on the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments'
website www.ocpa.gov.uk <outbind://141/www.ocpa.gov.uk> .

2. "Design Council"

Any queries relating to the Design Council should be forwarded to the
body itself or to its sponsoring department, the Department for
Universities, Innovation and Skills.

Alastair B Davies

Propriety and Ethics Team

The Cabinet Office computer systems may be monitored and communications carried on them recorded, to secure the effective operation of the system and for other lawful purposes.

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