§ Mr. HowardTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what date and for what reasons the proposal to appoint Ms Gaynor Regan as his diary secretary was abandoned. [26497]
§ Mr. Robin CookGaynor Regan had been employed as my Diary Secretary for four years in opposition and had worked well in the post. She was therefore an obvious candidate for the appointment, but I reached my own conclusion that, in view of our relationship, it would not be right to appoint her. I invited the Department to proceed with an internal appointment on 30 May.
§ Mr. HowardTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if Miss Anne Bullen was asked if she would be prepared to stay on as his diary secretary to the end of June to train Ms Gaynor Regan to do the job. [26498]
§ Mr. Robin CookMiss Anne Bullen agreed that her last day in my office should be 27 June to allow time for a handover with her successor.
§ Mr. HowardTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if his diary secretary Miss Anne Bullen was informed that he wished his constituency secretary to be brought into the job. [26499]
§ Mr. Robin CookMiss Anne Bullen was informed that I had decided that her fixed-term contract should not be renewed, and that she should be replaced. She was informed that Ms Gaynor Regan was being considered for 441W the post of Diary Secretary. She was also informed when, shortly thereafter, I decided that she should not take up the position.
§ Mr. HowardTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if Ms Gaynor Regan was offered a contract of employment as his diary secretary. [26500]
§ Mr. Robin CookI decided not to pursue the possibility of her appointment before any contract was sent to her.
§ Mr. HowardTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions took place between officials of the Foreign Office and Ms Gaynor Regan with a view to her becoming his diary secretary. [26501]
§ Mr. Robin CookOne official spoke to Ms Regan on the telephone about her possible appointment.
§ Mr. HowardTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if security checks were carried out on Ms Gaynor Regan with a view to her becoming his diary secretary. [26502]
§ Mr. Robin CookNo.
§ Mr. HowardTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what advice he was given by(a) the Permanent Under Secretary or (b) other officials of the Foreign Office about the employment of Ms Gaynor Regan as his diary secretary. [26503]
§ Mr. Robin CookNone.
§ Mr. HowardTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he informed officials at his Department of the nature of his relationship with Ms Gaynor Regan. [26504]
§ Mr. SoamesTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he informed officials at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office of his relationship with his nominee for the post of Diary Secretary at the time when he nominated her. [26527]
§ Mr. Robin CookOfficials at the Foreign Office have been aware that Ms Gaynor Regan is my partner since August 1997.
§ Mr. SoamesTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what date he first had discussions with the Permanent Secretary at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office relating to his marital status and the consequences for his travel arrangements. [26526]
§ Mr. Robin CookThe Permanent Under-Secretary has been aware since 1 August that I have separated from my wife. At no time since then has my partner accompanied me at public expense on departmental travel.