§ Mrs. FyfeTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when his views were sought on 5 November 1993 on the appointment of Mr. Laurence Peterken to the cost of special projects director with the national health service management executive; whether he had already been informed of the adverse comments made about Mr. Peterken, and the comments made in the letter of 6 August referred to at the Select Committee hearing on Wednesday 1 December; and on what date those comments were drawn to his attention.
§ Mr. Stewart[holding answer 11 January 1994]: My right hon. Friend's views were sought on the possibility of Mr. Peterken being offered a post at national level on the afternoon of 5 November. He first became aware of the contents of the letter of 6 August on 23 November. He first became aware of some comments about Mr. Peterken's performance, both favourable and adverse, in February 1993 and of the content of Mr. Peterken's performance appraisal on 30 November.
§ Mrs. FyfeTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his letter of 15 December 1993, to the hon. Member for Glasgow, Maryhill, if he will list the areas identified by the new NHS chief executive as requiring a short managerial review which will be undertaken by Mr. Laurence Peterken.
§ Mr. Stewart[holding answer 11 January 1994]: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State did not write to the hon. Member on 15 December 1993. Pursuant to the Minister of State's letter of that date, Mr. Peterken's first task is to review the organisation of the Common Services Agency, which employs 5,000 people and provides services worth £125 million. Thereafter, he will review the arrangements within the NHS for information services and management development.