HC Deb 09 February 1984 vol 53 c686W
Mr. Richard Shepherd

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry who are the executive search consultants advising him on the appointment of the Director General designate of the Office of Telecommunications; what remuneration they will receive; and if he proposes to announce the name of the Director General designate before Easter.

Mr. Butcher

The executive search consultants Knight Wegenstein—now Knight Wendling—were chosen from a shortlist of five. The fee involved is a matter of commercial confidence.

I have nothing to add to my answer of 6 February to my hon. Friend about the timing of the appointment.

Mr. Richard Shepherd

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) how he will ensure that the prospective appointment of Director General of the Office of Telecommunications will be known to the widest range of prospective applicants;

(2) whether it is his intention to consider present or former civil servants from within his Department for the post of Director General of the Office of Telecommunications;

(3) how far advanced he is in his selection and appointment of a Director General designate of the Office of Telecommunications; and if he will publish the list of prospective appointees;

(4) if he will list the criteria by which he will judge prospective appointees for the post of Director General of the Office of Telecommunications.

Mr. Butcher

The selection of the Director General of Telecommunications is a matter for the judgment of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State in consultation with colleagues. Consideration has been given to all suitably qualified candidates, with varied backgrounds, who were identified by consultative processes which included the employment of executive search consultants. In this context, I draw my hon. Friend's attention to the comments of my right hon. Friend the Minister for Information Technology in the Standing Committee proceedings of the Telecommunications Bill. — [Standing Committee A 1 November 1983, c. 199.] This targeted approach is regarded as the most suitable method of producing the best qualified candidates for a short list. I have nothing to add to my answer of 6 February to my hon. Friend about the timing of the appointment.

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