How effective is ACoBA? MPs question Lord Pickles
On Tuesday 10 June, the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee (PACAC) will question Lord Pickles, the former Chair of the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (ACoBA).
The Committee will question the former ACoBA chief on the challenges faced during his tenure and ask what reforms he believes are needed to ensure the public body is able to fulfil its role.
PACAC has previously raised concerns about the extent of ACoBA’s powers, given the current lack of meaningful consequences when individuals refuse to comply with their advice. Members of the Committee are likely to probe this further, asking how ACoBA’s role can be strengthened.
Meeting details
Members may also choose to ask questions about the slow processing of applications following reports of complaints from some former ministers, as well as seeking his view on the ongoing delay in appointing a permanent Chair to his former role.
As part of PACAC’s recently launched inquiry into Propriety and Ethics, MPs are also likely to ask Lord Pickles for his view on the Government’s lack of progress in establishing an Ethics and Integrity Commission, despite making it a key manifesto commitment.