§ Mr. MichaelTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what is his policy with regard to the appointment of ministerial advisers who may previously have been parliamentary candidates; and if he will make a statement;
(2) if he will outline his reasons for seeking to appoint Mr. Rod Richards as his personal adviser;
(3) if he will list the specific topics on which Mr. Rod Richards will be employed to provide him with advice and Mr. Richards's qualifications and experience to each of those topics.
§ Mr. David HuntI have appointed Mr. Richards to advise me on a range of subjects drawing on his knowledge and experience in the public and private sectors. Special advisers are appointed on a personal basis. Mr. Richards is my only such adviser at present. He is appointed as a civil servant and his terms and conditions are, where appropriate, the same as for civil servants. It is not the practice to reveal the salaries of advisers nor, in consequence, the total cost of an individual appointment as these are individually negotiated in relation to previous outside earnings and are therefore confidential. Special advisers are appointed after consultation with the Prime Minister.