§ Mr. Peter AinsworthTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will publish the criteria applied to the recruitment of his Department's new press officer; how many applicants there were for this post; how many were shortlisted; how this post was advertised; who was on the selection panel; and what salary this post carries. [91948]
§ Mr. Chris Smith[holding answer 19 July 1999]: In selecting the Head of News for my Department in summer 1998 the following criteria were used: people management, resource management, ability to inspire confidence, ability to communicate with impact, ability to add value to decisions, and knowledge of the system. Thirty two candidates applied of which seven were shortlisted for interview, and five were actually interviewed. The post was advertised in The Guardian.
The selection panel comprised two members of the Management Board of the Department, a senior representative of the Government Information and Communication Service and a Civil Service Commissioner.
The post carries a salary in the range of £36,517 to £56,198.