§ Mr. Shersbyasked the Minister for the Civil Service what advice is sought from hon. Members by the Management and Personnel Office when compiling a register of people who may be willing to undertake work on Government committees, commissions, tribunals and so on; and what steps are taken by the Office to ensure that individuals approached are suitably qualified for appointment by Ministers.
§ Mr. HayhoeThe public appointments unit of the Management and Personnel Office receives nominations for the central list of persons who are willing to be considered for public appointments from many different sources, including Government Departments, representative organisations and self nominations. Nominations from hon. Members are always welcome. Where a nominee for the list gives an hon. Member as a referee the unit normally writes to the Member for his views about the individual's suitability for a public appointment. Ensuring that an individual is suitably qualified for an appointment is, however, the responsibility of the appropriate Minister dealing with that appointment.