- 7
Its
The establishment of
formulating its policies to meet those needs, it has been
the Government's practice regularly to examine the
composition and working of its advisory committees, so as to
ensure that they continue to function effectively and to
fulfil a genuine purpose. Changes are introduced where
necessary to meet new situations.
statutory bodies with some executive functions, and with the
authority in some cases to propose policy changes, is part
of this process. Some observers have suggested that this is
a means whereby the Government can offload its
responsibilities, particularly those for
for taking unpopular
decisions; or that it is a clandestine way of effecting
fundamental changes to the pattern of relationships between
Sui,
the different arms of government. Nothing could be further
from the truth.
Л
In establishing these bodies, the Government's aim
is to ensure that it is better placed to respond promptly
and flexibly to changes in demand for its services, and that
its advisers are better placed to offer advice on policy
issues on the basis of direct knowledge and experience of
the way in which these services are delivered on the
ground. The establishment of statutory bodies with a large
element of membership from outside the public service is an
effective
Its
way
means of bringing the decision-making process
closer to the public and must, I believe, be a welcome
development.