HC Deb 10 November 1997 vol 300 c396W
Mr. Baker

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what discussions she had with the Minister without Portfolio(a) in respect of her Office's information officer Mr. Andy Wood before he was replaced at his post and (b) in respect of identifying his replacement; and if she will make a statement. [14524]

Marjorie Mowlam

Before asking for Mr. Wood to be removed from the post of Director of the Northern Ireland Information Service I did not discuss his removal with my right hon. Friend the Minister without Portfolio. After Mr. Wood's removal, my right hon. Friend was one of a number of colleagues that I consulted about Mr. Wood's replacement.

On foot of those consultations I put in hand a review of the structures and working practices of the Northern Ireland Information Service. I have just received the report of that review, one consequence of which is that the Northern Ireland Office will shortly be advertising an open competition of the post of Director of the Northern Ireland Information Service.

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