§ Mr. Rhodri MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will place a copy in the Library of the letter from the Head of European Division concerning the recent appointment of the Chief Executive of the Wales European Centre. [66878]
§ Mr. MichaelNo. The head of the European Division is not a member of the Board of the Wales European Centre but attends as an observer. He was unable to attend the meeting of the Board at which the appointment of a new director was under consideration. He therefore sent a letter on a personal and confidential basis to the Secretary of the Board of the Wales European Centre. It was made quite clear that it did not present a view on behalf of my Department. The letter did not express a view on the proposed appointment but(a) conveyed points that had been raised with us by certain members of the wider partnership and (b) set out a number of questions which he suggested should be considered by the Board in deciding 550W whether they should accept the recommendations of the appointments panel. I understand that each of these questions were fully considered by the Board in reaching a conclusion.
I am sure that my hon. Friend would be the first to criticise any official who failed to pass on pertinent views in this way or who failed to suggest questions to which such a Board should seek answers. That he did so strengthens the appointment procedure and public confidence that the Board sought to appoint the best person for the job, in the best interests of Wales.
The Wales European Centre is an independent body, headed by a Board which includes representatives of the partners who fund and support its work.
Neither I nor my officials will interfere with its work but I strongly support the Centre as a partner in promoting the people of Wales in Europe and for that reason I visited the Centre two weeks ago to discuss how best to cooperate and complement each other's work. I hope my hon. Friend and all Welsh members will join in this endeavour.