HC Deb 06 July 1995 vol 263 cc343-4W
Rev. Martin Smyth

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to ensure that the proportion of senior open competition appointments by the Northern Ireland Civil Service Commission who are civil servants approximates to the proportion appointed by the Civil Service Commission in England. [32164]

Sir John Wheeler

The Northern Ireland Civil Service Commission recruits solely on the basis of merit as determined in fair and open competition and all eligible candidates, either from within the civil service or from outside, are assessed against common job-related requirements.

Rev. Martin Smyth

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will set up an independent inquiry into the Northern Ireland Civil Service Commission's conduct of open competitions for senior appointments with particular reference to(a) the reasons for the predominance of civil service appointees, (b) the limited professional experience required of appointments to the post of chief engineer and scientist and (c) the role of the retiring chief executive of the Training and Employment Agency in the appointment of his successor. [32198]

Sir John Wheeler

The Northern Ireland Civil Service Commission has a well established record of fair and impartial recruitment. I see no need for an independent inquiry into the conduct of open competitions for senior appointments bearing in mind that:

  1. (a) appointments are made solely on the basis of merit; and in 1994 some 50 per cent. of appointees at grade 6 and above were from outside the civil service;
  2. (b) the requirements for the post of chief engineer and scientist were related to the duties of that post and to those of the chief executive of the industrial research and technology unit; the dual role of the postholder called for a balance between technical competence and management ability;
  3. (c) the selection panel for the post of deputy chief executive/chief executive designate of the Training and Employment Agency was properly constituted in accordance with rules drawn up by the Civil Service Commissioners.

Rev. Martin Smyth

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he intends to appoint an independent person to take charge of the Northern Ireland Civil Service Commission. [32191]

Sir John Wheeler

I have recently reviewed the composition of the Northern Ireland Civil Service Commissioners and I shall shortly be recommending to Her Majesty the appointment of a further independent commissioner. This will bring the balance of commissioners to three non-civil servants and three civil servants. I am satisfied that the office of chairman of commissioners should be held by the permanent secretary of the Department of Finance and Personnel, who is responsible, by virtue of the Civil Service (Northern Ireland) Order 1986, for the general management and control of the Northern Ireland civil service.