HC Deb 11 April 2000 vol 348 cc127-8W
Mr. Edwards

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to increase funding of(a) research into screening for and (b) educational awareness of prostate cancer. [101686]

(b) the Head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service; and what are their respective (i) professions and (ii) nationalities. [118000]

Mr. Mandelson

The panel to select a new Ombudsman for Northern Ireland comprised Mr. John Semple, Head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service; Mrs. Margaret Elliott, a Solicitor and NI Civil Service Commissioner; and Dr. Maurice Hayes, a retired senior civil servant (former Permanent Secretary of DHSS in Northern Ireland) and a former Northern Ireland Ombudsman. In respect of the appointment of a new Head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service to take over from Mr. John Semple when he retires this summer, the decision lies with me subject to the approval of the Prime Minister. However, I have appointed a panel to offer advice. The panel comprises Mr. Muir Russell, Permanent Secretary of the Scottish Executive; Dame Valerie Strachan, a retired senior civil servant (former Chairman of HM Customs and Excise); and Mr. Paddy Mullarkey, a retired Irish civil servant (former Secretary General of the Department of Finance). In the past a retired senior Northern Ireland Civil Servant has assisted in the selection process for a high level post in the Irish public service. The nationality of each panel member was not ascertained to appointment to the respective panels.

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