§ Mr. Alex Carlileasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what criteria and procedures are 616W applied in making appointments to the Equal Opportunities Commission, and at a senior level within the staffing structure of the commission; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WaddingtonMembers of the Equal Opportunities Commission are appointed by my right hon. and learned Friend in accordance with the terms of section 53 of the Sex Discrimination Act 1975. They are chosen for their personal qualities and for their general knowledge and experience of the areas covered by equal opportunity legislation. Under the terms of schedule 3 of the 1975 Act, the commission is responsible for appointing its own staff. I understand that, in accordance with a local agreement, the normal procedure is for all vacancies to be advertised internally before any consideration is given to a candidate from outside the commission; but some specialist appointments and the post of chief executive have been advertised simultaneously both inside and outside the commission.