Daily Mail article on a proposed review of quangos and their accountability.

HSE Chief Executive Geoffrey Podger's response to a Daily Mail article on 6 July

Monday 6 July 2009

Dear Sir,

Re: ‘…a 'bonfire of the quangos' (6 July).

It is right that all parts of Government, including its agencies, are subject to review. HSE is always looking to improve its effectiveness and reduce costs. For example, we recently moved our Headquarters from London to Liverpool as part of a programme that will save the taxpayer around £57m over the next 10 years.

It is wrong however to suggest that we are not part of the democratic system. HSE is accountable to Parliament through the Minsters at the Department for Work and Pensions and both Judith Hackitt, HSE Chair and I have appeared before cross-party Select Committees on a number of occasions. In addition, in 2008/09, we responded to 150 Parliamentary Questions, 316 letters from MPs and  6,582 Freedom of Information requests.  We believe that this shows a proper level of public accountability.

Yours faithfully,
Geoffrey Podger
Chief Executive
Health & Safety Executive