HC Deb 04 November 1993 vol 231 cc378-9W
Ms Ruddock

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects the post of prisons ombudsman to be readvertised; which personnel recruitment agencies were asked to tender for the contract to head-hunt potential candidates for post; and what is the anticipated cost of(a) advertising and (b) headhunting for the post.

Mr. Howard

The post of prisons ombudsman is being readvertised in the national press in the period 4 to 11 November 1993.

Three firms were invited to tender for the contract to headhunt: Coopers and Lybrand Executive Resourcing Ltd., Goddard Kay Rogers and Associates Ltd. and SSI.

The anticipated cost of advertising is £12,500. I am not able to provide details of the amount charged by the appointed headhunter since this information must be treated as commercial-in-confidence.

Ms Ruddock

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what date interviews were held for the post of prisons ombudsman; on what date the unsuccessful candidates were informed of the outcome; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Howard

Interviews for the post of prisons ombudsman were held on 21 June 1993.

Unsuccessful candidates were informed of the outcome on 2 August and on 10 September 1993.

The post is now being readvertised.