HC Deb 11 July 1996 vol 281 cc259-60W
Mr. Matthew Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what selection procedure, was followed in respect of(a) the successful candidate and (b) the unsuccessful candidates for the position of chairman of the Plymouth development corporation. [36498]

Sir Paul Beresford

All candidates for the post o f the chairman of the Plymouth development corporation were subject to the same selection procedure. Executive recruitment consultants were employed following a competitive tendering exercise and, through them, the post was advertised both nationally and locally and a search was conducted. A sift was conducted of the candidates identified by this process and a long list of candidates was prepared who were contacted by the consultants to confirm their suitability. This long list was then reduced to a short list by a panel comprising two officials from the Department of the Environment and an outside independent member. All candidates on this short list were interviewed by the panel. The panel then submitted their recommendation to Ministers who took the final decision.

Mr. Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the remuneration paid to each member of the Plymouth development corporation. [36496]

Sir Paul Beresford

The remuneration paid to each member of the Plymouth development corporation is as follows:

  • Chairman: £27,365
    • 260
  • Deputy chairman: £9,285
  • Board member: £5,430

Mr. Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many candidates(a) applied for the chairmanship of the Plymouth development corporation and (b) were interviewed; and how many of (a) and (b) came from Plymouth. [36499]

Sir Paul Beresford

There were 57 applicants for the chairmanship of the Plymouth development corporation. During a detailed selection procedure a long list of candidates was identified and all candidates on the long list were interviewed by the executive recruitment consultants. A selection panel then decided on a short list of three candidates all of whom were interviewed by the panel. Of the full list of applicants 10 gave addresses in Plymouth and 22 of the others lived or worked in Devon and Cornwall and two of them live in the Plymouth area, but none within the City of Plymouth.