§ Dr. WrightTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what his Department's policy is regarding the use of executive search consultants in making appointments to public bodies; and if he will (a) list the appointments where such consultants have been used and(b) list the cost in each case since April 1992.
§ Mr. RedwoodExecutive search consultants are considered only in cases where candidates for a public appointment are unlikely to be found from the Department's register of candidates or recommendations from other sources.
Since April 1992, consultants have not been used in making public appointments. Some of the bodies themselves do use search consultants for appointments within their powers.
§ Dr. WrightTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales which of the appointments made to public bodies by his Department since April 1992 have been advertised.
§ Mr. RedwoodSince 1992, I have advertised the chairmanship of the Welsh Development Agency and the Cardiff bay barrage independent groundwater complaints administrator. It is my policy to advertise by press release and/or paid advertisement the important posts available.
§ Dr. WrightTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what are the minimum and maximum numbers of possible board members of(a) the further education funding council and (b) the higher education funding council; what guidelines he has issued concerning the composition of these boards; and what specific guidance has been given on how many board members should be (i) from ethnic minorities, (ii) women, (iii) from the local business sector, (iv) from local authorities and (v) from trade unions;
(2) what criteria are used in the selection of the chair and the executive members of (a) the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales; (b) the Further Education Funding Council for Wales and (c) Housing for Wales, in respect of relevant experience and qualifications; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir Wyn RobertsUnder the Further and Higher Education Act 1992, the Further and Higher Education Funding Councils for Wales are required to have a minimum of eight and a maximum of 12 members. The Chairmen and members were appointed in accordance with the criteria set out in section 1 and section 62 respectively of the Act, which require members of the councils to have relevant experience in further and/or higher education or in the industrial, commercial and financial sectors or the professions.
848WIn making the appointments to the board of Housing for Wales, I consider factors including the skills, experience and capabilities relevant to the successful conduct of this major public body.