§ Mr. WilkinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will make a statement on the procedure followed for the selection and appointment of the Chief of the Defence Staff and the chiefs of staff of the three armed services.
§ Mr. RifkindThe arrangements are that the outgoing chief of staff puts to me, as Secretary of State for Defence, an assessment of the field of possible successors together with a recommendation. He will have checked that the candidates are willing and medically fit. I then take soundings, for example with appropriate officers senior in rank to the candidates, before reporting my conclusions to the Prime Minister.
Once the Government have reached a view, the approval of Her Majesty the Queen is sought.