§ Mr. Gordon Brownasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the business interests, includng directorships and shareholdings, of his adviser, Mr. Richard Ehrman; and what arrangements have been agreed to avoid a conflict between the public interest and the private companies in which he has interests.
Mr. KingWhilst there is no requirement for my special adviser to make public his business interests, I am satisfied that he has none which give rise to any conflict with his duties as my special adviser. Mr. Ehrman happens346W to be a partner in a family mail order business, and is also a non-executive director of Ranova Ltd, which specialises in rehabilitation of small commercial premises.
§ Mr. Gordon Brownasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will outline the terms and conditions of appointment, including the salary and expenses of his new adviser, Mr. Richard Ehrman.
Mr. KingMr. Richard Ehrman is employed as my special adviser on a part-time basis of three days per week. It is not the practice to publish details of an individual's salary. Expenses incurred as a result of his departmental duties are paid on the same basis as for any other civil servant in my Department. The terms and conditions of Mr. Ehrman's appointment are similar to those of other civil servants apart from certain exceptions which reflect the special nature of his role.