Mr. Robert AinsworthTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what training his Department provided or funded for the Director General of Gas Supply prior to her appointment; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. EggarMs Spottiswoode was appointed as Director General designate one month before she took up post as Director General of Gas Supply on 1 November 1992, so that she could familiarise herself with the industry and with current issues. My Department was aware of her intention to attend a course on the gas industry before she took up her appointment but was not asked to contribute to the cost.
Mr. Robert AinsworthTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what information was supplied to his Department during the appointment process by the Director General of Gas Supply concerning connection with the gas industry as called for in paragraph 14 of his job specification.
§ Mr. EggarMs Spottiswoode's connections with the gas industry were made known to the Department both by the executive search consultants and by Ms Spottiswoode herself during the appointment process.