Disability Rights Commissioners

HC Deb 21 October 2002 vol 391 cc116-7W

Mr. Willetts

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on the process for filling the five vacancies for Disability Rights Commissioners that will occur in April 2003. [74732]

Maria Eagle

The posts have been advertised openly in a range of national and specialist publications including the disability and ethnic minority press. The closing date was 4 October. The sift and interview processes will involve an independent assessor and the names of the successful candidates will be announced publicly by means of a press release, expected to be issued in March 2003. This process is in line with the Code of Practice for Public Appointments and guidelines issued by the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments (OCPA).