§ Mr. BluntTo ask the Prime Minister what evidence underlay the press briefing by his official spokesman that Ms Anne Bullen's appointment was a political one. [27282]
§ The Prime Minister[holding answer 3 February 1998]: Ms Anne Bullen was selected for the post of Diary Secretary by the then Foreign Secretary, Lord Hurd. Ms Bullen was appointed under Paragraph 2(i) of Schedule 2 of the Diplomatic Service Order in Council 1991 which allows for exceptions to the normal Civil Service rules of recruitment.