HC Deb 27 November 1984 vol 68 cc444-5W
Mr. Ashley

asked the Minister for the Civil Service who sat on the Civil Service appeal board which considered the procedures followed in Dr. Clift's case; if there were any forensic experts; for how long they sat; if they considered the evidence of the reports of the forensic scientists invited by Dr. Clift to comment on his Department's conclusions on his work; what other forensic experts gave oral or written evidence; and what was their status.

Mr. Hayhoe

The Civil Service Appeal Board is an independent body. Its remit covers appeals from civil servants under notice of dismissal or compulsory early retirement (other than on medical grounds) and those who consider themselves to have been debarred unfairly from undertaking political activities. Its hearings are informal. It takes oral and written evidence from the appellant and the employing department and the sole criterion for decision is "fairness". Its findings are relayed to the appellant and the employing department but are not made public.