§ Mr. Allan StewartTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what criteria govern the selection of chief executives of "next steps" executive agencies; and what pay arrangements have been made for these appointments.
§ Mr. RyderThe first priority in selecting chief executives and other key staff for agencies must be to get the right person for the job. This principle is crucial to the success of agencies. In each case the starting point is to define the job to be done. Then it is necessary to examine what skills will be required for the job; to consider where those skills can best be found; to take account of what is needed to attract, motivate and retain somewone with those skills; and then choose the most appropriate method of selection. Open competition will be considered in every case as a potential means of attracting talented people from inside and outside the service. Pay is usually based on normal civil service arrangements but more is offered if this is necessary to secure the right person. In any case there is usually a significant performance based element. Next Steps is an evolving initiative, and those arrangements will progressively develop.