§ 30. Mr. David Ruffley (Bury St. Edmunds)If he will make a statement on his policy towards the recruitment of (a) special, (b) policy, (c) press and (d) public relations advisers to his Department. [37644]
§ The Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department (Mr. Geoffrey Hoon)The special adviser to the Lord Chancellor was appointed in accordance with the terms and conditions of the model contract for special advisers, a copy of which is available in the Library. The recruitment of all permanent staff, including those working in policy, press and public relations, is carried out in line with the standard procedures set out in the civil service management code and the civil service commissioners recruitment code.
§ Mr. RuffleyWill the Minister tell the House the exact cost to the British taxpayer of the additional advisers the Lord Chancellor has recruited to his Department since 1 May? Whatever the cost, does he accept that that is yet another extravagance from the self-styled Cardinal Wolsey, who needs those additional advisers to cover up his misdemeanours and incompetences?
§ Mr. HoonOnly one special adviser has been appointed to the Department since last May and I will write to the hon. Gentleman giving him the precise cost. I must make it clear that the appointment was made by the Lord Chancellor strictly in accordance with the usual procedures. Successive Administrations have appointed special advisers in precisely the same way. As someone appointed as a special adviser on three different occasions and, I understand, in three different Government Departments, no doubt the hon. Gentleman is something of an expert on the matter.
§ Mr. Edward Garnier (Harborough)Will the Minister be good enough to tell the House on which aspects of the Department's policy he and his Cabinet colleague most feel in need of advice?
§ Mr. HoonAs the hon. and learned Member will know, the Lord Chancellor's Department is comprehensively reviewing civil court procedure. The special adviser in question has had a distinguished career in the law and will be able to give the Department valuable experience based on his considerable knowledge of the legal process.