Member

I thank noble Lords for their many representations on the efficacy of the commissioner model, and I would like to reiterate the key points. Commissioners are optional and any funding for them must be found locally. Government will not be providing funding for them. Commissioners should be appointed on merit, and the guidance will make this clear. Remuneration for commissioners should be decided by an independent remuneration panel, whose recommendations cannot be exceeded. Commissioners must be subject to scrutiny; they must attend and answer questions from the local scrutiny committees that we are introducing. These committees can raise concerns and recommend that a commissioner is dismissed.