§ Mr. Ian BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what date Ms Anne Bullen's contract of employment was due to end; on what date she was dismissed; and how many months severance pay she was given. [27071]
§ Mr. Robin Cook[holding answer 2 February 1998]: Miss Bullen's contract ended on 7 November 1997. She was told on 21 May of my decision to replace her. She ceased to work in my office on 27 June. She continued to be paid to the end of her contract and received no severance pay.
§ Mr. Ian BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what(a) verbal and (b) written warnings were given to Ms Anne Bullen concerning her performance prior to her dismissal. [27070]
§ Mr. Robin Cook[holding answer 2 February 1998]: I decided to replace Miss Anne Bullen as my Diary Secretary when it became apparent that we could not establish a relationship of trust and that I could not have confidence in her. It would not have been appropriate, in those circumstances, for her to have continued to work in my office. Miss Bullen ceased to work as my Diary Secretary on 27 June, but her contract was not terminated. She was paid up to its expiry on 7 November.
§ Mr. MacleanTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) for what reasons he did not ask his Principal Private Secretary to appoint his new diary secretary; [26969]
(2) on how many occasions in the last five years the Permanent Secretary has taken charge of the appointment of ministers' diary secretaries; [26964]
(3) if he will make a statement on the role of the Permanent Secretary in the appointment of diary secretaries. [26965]
§ Mr. Robin Cook[holding answer 2 February 1998]: To the best of my knowledge, never. Final decisions on such appointments are for the Secretary of State.
§ Mr. MacleanTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list those officials who submitted advice on the possible appointment of Ms Regan as diary secretary. [26966]
§ Mr. Robin Cook[holding answer 2 February 1998]: None.
§ Mr. MacleanTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which(a) officials or (b) special advisers issued briefings to the media on the dismissal of Miss Anne Bullen. [26967]
§ Mr. Robin Cook[holding answer 2 February 1998]: Both the Foreign Office News department and the departmental special advisers handle media inquiries, including on this issue.
§ Mr. MacleanTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what advice he received from(a) the Prime Minister and (b) his officials on the possible appointment of a Ms Regan as his diary secretary. [26968]
658W
§ Mr. Robin Cook[holding answer 2 February 1998]: (a) None. (b) None.
§ Mr. BluntTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer to the right hon. Member for Penrith and The Border (Mr. Maclean) of 29 January 1998,Official Report, column 388, when he informed his Principal Private Secretary of his intention to appoint Ms Regan as his diary secretary. [27365]
§ Mr. Robin Cook21 May.
§ Mr. HowardTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information was given to him after 21 May to cause him to conclude that it would not be right to appoint Gaynor Regan as his diary secretary. [27420]
§ Mr. Robin CookNone.
§ Mr. HowardTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information was given to him by officials at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office about Gaynor Regan after 21 May. [27421]
§ Mr. Robin CookNone.
§ Mr. HowardTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 30 January 1998,Official Report, column 440, on his private office, what factors led him to revise his opinion that Gaynor Regan was an obvious candidate for the post of diary secretary between 21 May and 30 May. [27419]
§ Mr. Robin CookI refer the right hon. and learned Member to the answer I gave him on 30 January 1998,Official Report, column 440.