HL Deb 10 February 2000 vol 609 cc118-20WA
Lord Pilkington of Oxenford

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What will be the cost of retaining PricewaterhouseCoopers to assist in the recruitment of members of the House of Lords Appointments Commission. [HL785]

The Lord Privy Seal (Baroness Jay of Paddington)

The total cost will be £52,000 plus expenses and VAT. Advertising costs will be in addition to this.

Lord Pilkington of Oxenford

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What consultations there were with the Convenor of the Cross-Bench Peers about the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers to assist in the recruitment of Members of the House of Lords Appointments Commission and about its terms of reference.[HL786]

Baroness Jay of Paddington

The Covenor of the Cross-Bench Peers was not consulted about the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers Executive Search and Selection to assist in the process of identifying suitable candidates for the independent chairman and independent members of the appointments commission. Although Ministers approved the principle of the use of headhunters, they also were not involved in the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers.

The terms of reference are:

  • Assist in the drawing up of advertisements for the chairman and members.
  • Advise on where to place such advertisements and place them.
  • Devise an information pack for candidates for both positions.
  • Handle all initial inquiries and send out information packs.
  • Use its knowlege and resources to identify strong candidates who could be invited to apply for either the chairmanship or membership. All such candidates would have to go through the full appointments process.
  • Receive and process applications, including an initial sift of applications to eliminate nonviable candidates.
  • Produce a long list of serious possibilities.
  • Work with the Constitution Secretariat, Cabinet Office, to produce final shortlists.

Lord Pilkington of Oxenford

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether there was an open tender process before PricewaterhouseCoopers were retained to assist in the recruitment of members of the House of Lords Appointments Commission; when the tender process was initiated; and how many firms applied. [HL787]

Baroness Jay of Paddington

Yes. There was an open tender process before PricewaterhouseCoopers Executive Search and Selection was retained.

It is standard practice in these cases to invite tenders from a number of companies. Invitations to tender were sent to four recruitment consultants who have previous experience of working with government departments. The invitations to tender were sent in December 1999 and all four submitted bids.

Lord Pilkington of Oxenford

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will publish in the Official Report the terms of reference under which PricewaterhouseCoopers has been retained to assist in the recruitment of members of the House of Lords Appointments Commission. [HL788]

Baroness Jay of Paddington

The terms of reference under which PricewaterhouseCoopers Executive Search and Selection has been employed are:

  • Assist in the drawing up of advertisements for the chairman and members.
  • Advise on where to place such advertisements and place them.
  • Devise an information pack for candidates for both positions.
  • Handle all initial inquiries and send out information packs.
  • Use its knowledge and resources to identify strong candidates who could be invited to apply for either the chairmanship or membership. All such candidates would have to go through the full appointments process.
  • Receive and process applications, including an initial sift of applications to eliminate nonviable candidates.
  • Produce a long list of serious possibilities.
  • Work with the Constitution Secretariat, Cabinet Office, to produce final shortlists.